Lower gwp refrigerant compositions

ABSTRACT

Refrigerant compositions for an HVACR system that includes R1123, R32 and at least one more refrigerant. The refrigerant composition has a reduced GWP of about or less than 1500. Some of the refrigerant composition may be suitable for replacing R410A, R32, and/or R22. Methods for making the refrigerant composition including mixing an amount of R1123, and amount of R32, and an amount of at least one more refrigerant. Methods of retrofitting an existing refrigerant composition include adding an amount of at least one refrigerant to an existing refrigerant composition to produce a retrofitted refrigerant composition. The retrofitted refrigerant composition includes at least R1123 and R32.

FIELD

The disclosure herein relates to refrigerant compositions, which can beused in, for example, refrigeration, air conditioning, and/or heat pumpsystems, which, for example, can be incorporated into a heating,ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system or unit.

BACKGROUND

Concern about environmental impact (e.g., ozone depletion) and theapproval of the Montreal Protocol have resulted in a movement to replaceozone depleting refrigerants such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) andhydrochlorfluorocarbons (HCFCs). Refrigerants, such ashydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) refrigerants and hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs)refrigerants have been utilized as replacements for previousrefrigerants containing CFCs and HFCs. However, there has been recentmovement (e.g., the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, the ParisAgreement, United States' Significant New Alternatives Policy (“SNAP”))to phase out refrigerants that have a high global warming potential(GWP) such as some HFCs.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Refrigerant compositions that have a capacity similar to R410A, R32, orR22 and methods of making such refrigerant compositions are described.Refrigerant compositions that have a GWP lower than R410A and methods ofmaking such refrigerant compositions are described. Refrigerantcompositions that perform similar to R410A are described. Refrigerantcompositions that perform similar to R32 are described. Refrigerantcompositions that perform similar to R22 are described. Refrigerantcompositions, methods of making refrigerant compositions, and methods ofretrofitting refrigerant compositions for servicing, controllingflammability, decreasing GWP, improving performance, and/or improvingsafety of an HVACR system are described.

In an embodiment, a refrigerant composition includes R32, R1123, and oneor more refrigerants. The one or more refrigerants may include CF₃I,R125, and R1234yf. In an embodiment, a refrigerant composition includesat least three refrigerants that include R32 and R1123. In anembodiment, a refrigerant composition includes at least fourrefrigerants that include R32 and R1123.

In an embodiment, a refrigerant composition includes R32, R1123, andCF₃I. In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a capacity thatis at or about 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity of R410Arefrigerant. In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has acapacity that is at or about 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity ofR32 refrigerant.

In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a GWP of at or about300 or less than 300. In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition hasa GWP of at or about 150 or less than 150. In an embodiment, therefrigerant composition has a GWP of at or about 150 to at or about 300.

In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition is a nonflammablecomposition.

In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a temperature glide ofat or about 10° F. or less than 10° F.

In an embodiment, the ratio of the R32 to the R1123 by weight is at orabout 40:60 to at or about 60:40.

In an embodiment, a refrigerant composition includes R32, R1123, andR125. In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a capacity thatis at or about 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity of R410Arefrigerant and a GWP of at or about 1500 or less than 1500. In anembodiment, the refrigerant composition has a capacity that is in arange from at or about 85% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R410Arefrigerant and a GWP of at or about 1500 or less than 1500. In anembodiment, the refrigerant composition has a capacity that is at orabout 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity of R32 refrigerant and aGWP of at or about 1500 or less than 1500.

In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a GWP of at or about1000 or less than 1000. In an embodiment, the refrigerant compositionhas a GWP of at or about 750 or less than 750. In an embodiment, therefrigerant composition has a GWP of at or about 675 or less than 675.In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a GWP of at or about600 or less than 600. In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition hasa GWP of at or about 500 or less than 500. In an embodiment, therefrigerant composition has a GWP of at or about 400 or less than 400.In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a GWP of at or about300 or less than 300. In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition hasa GWP of at or about 200 or less than 200.

In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition is a nonflammablecomposition.

In an embodiment, the ratio of the R32 to the R1123 by weight is at orabout 20:80 to at or about 80:20. In an embodiment, the ratio of the R32to the R1123 by weight is at or about 40:60 to at or about 60:40.

In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a temperature glide ofat or about 1° F. or less than 1° F. In an embodiment, the refrigerantcomposition has a temperature glide of at or about 0.5° F. or less than0.5° F.

In an embodiment, a refrigerant composition includes R32, R1123, andR125, and CF₃I. In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has acapacity that is at or about 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity ofR410A refrigerant and a GWP of at or about 1500 or less than 1500. In anembodiment, the refrigerant composition has a capacity that is in arange from at or about 85% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R410Arefrigerant and a GWP of at or about 1500 or less than 1500. In anembodiment, the refrigerant composition has a capacity that is at orabout 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity of R32 refrigerant and aGWP of at or about 1500 or less than 1500.

In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a GWP of at or about1000 or less than 1000. In an embodiment, the refrigerant compositionhas a GWP of at or about 750 or less than 750. In an embodiment, therefrigerant composition has a GWP of at or about 675 or less than 675.In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a GWP of at or about600 or less than 600. In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition hasa GWP of at or about 500 or less than 500. In an embodiment, therefrigerant composition has a GWP of at or about 400 or less than 400.In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a GWP of at or about300 or less than 300. In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition hasa GWP of at or about 200 or less than 200.

In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition is a nonflammablecomposition.

In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a temperature glide ofat or about 15° F. or less than 15° F. In an embodiment, the refrigerantcomposition has a temperature glide of at or about 12° F. or less than12° F. In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a temperatureglide of at or about 10° F. or less than 10° F. In an embodiment, therefrigerant composition has a temperature glide of at or about 5° F. orless than 5° F.

In an embodiment, a refrigerant composition includes R32, R1123, andR125, and R1234yf. In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has acapacity that is at or about 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity ofR410A refrigerant and a GWP of at or about 1500 or less than 1500. In anembodiment, the refrigerant composition has a capacity that is in arange from at or about 85% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R410Arefrigerant and a GWP of at or about 1500 or less than 1500. In anembodiment, the refrigerant composition has a capacity that is at orabout 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity of R32 refrigerant and aGWP of at or about 1500 or less than 1500. In an embodiment, therefrigerant composition has a capacity that in a range from at or about85% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R22 refrigerant and a GWP ofat or about 1500 or less than 1500.

In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a GWP of at or about1000 or less than 1000. In an embodiment, the refrigerant compositionhas a GWP of at or about 750 or less than 750. In an embodiment, therefrigerant composition has a GWP of at or about 675 or less than 675.In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a GWP of at or about600 or less than 600. In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition hasa GWP of at or about 500 or less than 500. In an embodiment, therefrigerant composition has a GWP of at or about 400 or less than 400.In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a GWP of at or about300 or less than 300. In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition hasa GWP of at or about 200 or less than 200.

In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition is a nonflammablecomposition.

In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a temperature glide ofat or about 15° F. or less than 15° F. In an embodiment, the refrigerantcomposition has a temperature glide of at or about 12° F. or less than12° F. In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a temperatureglide of at or about 10° F. or less than 10° F. In an embodiment, therefrigerant composition has a temperature glide of at or about 5° F. orless than 5° F.

In an embodiment, a refrigerant composition includes R32, R1123, andCF₃I, and R1234yf. In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has acapacity that is at or about 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity ofR410A refrigerant. In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has acapacity that is at or about 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity ofR32 refrigerant.

In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a GWP of at or about500 or less than 500. In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition hasa GWP of at or about 400 or less than 400. In an embodiment, therefrigerant composition has a GWP of at or about 300 or less than 300.In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a GWP of at or about200 or less than 200.

In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition is a nonflammablecomposition.

In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a temperature glide ofat or about 15° F. or less than 15° F. In an embodiment, the refrigerantcomposition has a temperature glide of at or about 12° F. or less than12° F. In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has a temperatureglide of at or about 10° F. or less than 10° F.

In an embodiment, a method of making a refrigerant composition for aHVACR system includes mixing an amount of R1123, an amount of R32, andan amount of CF₃I. In an embodiment, the refrigerant composition has acapacity that is at or about 85% or greater than 85% of a capacity ofR410A refrigerant. In an embodiment, the mixing includes an amount ofR1234yf. In an embodiment, a method of making a refrigerant compositionincludes mixing at least an amount of R1123, an amount of R32, and anamount of one or more refrigerants to obtain a refrigerant compositionthat has a GWP of at or about 1500 or less than 1500. In an embodiment,the one or more refrigerants include CF₃I.

In an embodiment, the one or more refrigerants include CF₃I. In anembodiment, the one or more refrigerants include R125. In an embodiment,the one or more refrigerants include R125 and CF₃I. In an embodiment,the one or more refrigerants include CF₃I and R1234yf. In an embodiment,the one or more refrigerants include R125 and R1234yf.

In an embodiment, a method of retrofitting a refrigerant compositionincludes adding an amount of at least one refrigerant to an existingrefrigerant composition to produce a retrofitted refrigerant compositionthat has a GWP of at or about 1500 or less than 1500. The retrofittedrefrigerant composition includes R1123 refrigerant, R32 refrigerant, andone or more refrigerants.

In an embodiment, the retrofitted refrigerant composition includes R32,R1123, and CF₃I. In an embodiment, the retrofitted refrigerantcomposition includes R32, R1123, and R125. In an embodiment, theretrofitted refrigerant composition includes R32, R1123, R125, and CF₃I.In an embodiment, the retrofitted refrigerant composition includes R32,R1123, CF₃I, and R1234yf. In an embodiment, the retrofitted refrigerantcomposition includes R32, R1123, R125, and R1234yf.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Both described and other features, aspects, and advantages ofrefrigerant compositions, methods of making refrigerant compositions,and methods of retrofitting a refrigerant composition in an HVACR willbe better understood with reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a heat transfer circuit of a HVACR system in anembodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a matrix of compositions of R1123, R32, and CF₃I thatincludes plots of GWP, flammability, temperature glide, capacityrelative to R410A, and capacity relative to R32.

FIGS. 3-6 each illustrate a matrix based on the matrix of FIG. 2 thatcan be used to select a refrigerant composition with a desired set ofproperties in an embodiment.

FIGS. 7A-7D each illustrate a matrix of a thermodynamic property ofcompositions of R1123, R32, and CF₃I.

FIG. 8 illustrates a matrix of compositions of R1123, R32, and R125 thatincludes plots of GWP, flammability, temperature glide, capacityrelative to R410A, and capacity relative to R32.

FIGS. 9-12 each illustrate a matrix based on the matrix of FIG. 8 thatcan be used to select a refrigerant composition with a desired set ofproperties in an embodiment.

FIGS. 13A and 13B each illustrate a matrix of a thermodynamic propertyof compositions of R1123, R32, and R125.

FIGS. 14-16 illustrate a matrix of compositions of R1123, R32, R125, andCF₃I that includes plots of GWP, flammability, temperature glide,capacity relative to R410A, and capacity relative to R32.

FIGS. 17-19 each illustrate a matrix based on a respective one of FIGS.14-16 that can be used to select a refrigerant composition with adesired set of properties in an embodiment.

FIGS. 20-22 each illustrate a matrix based on a respective one of FIGS.14-16 that can be used to select a refrigerant composition with adesired set of properties in an embodiment.

FIGS. 23A, 23B, 24A, 24B, 25A, 25B each illustrate a matrix of athermodynamic property of compositions of R1123, R32, R125, and CF₃I.

FIGS. 26-29 illustrate a matrix of compositions of R1123, R32, R125, and1234yf that includes plots of GWP, flammability, temperature glide,capacity relative to R410A, capacity relative to R32, and capacityrelative to R22.

FIGS. 30-33 each illustrate a matrix based on a respective one of FIGS.26-29 that can be used to select a refrigerant composition with adesired set of properties in an embodiment.

FIGS. 34-37 each illustrate a matrix based on a respective one of FIGS.26-29 that can be used to select a refrigerant composition with adesired set of properties in an embodiment.

FIGS. 38A, 38B, 39A, 39B, 40A, 40B, 41A, 41B each illustrate a matrix ofa thermodynamic property of compositions of R1123, R32, R125, andR1234yf

FIGS. 42 and 43 each illustrate a matrix of compositions of R1123, R32,CF₃I, and R1234yf that includes plots of GWP, flammability, temperatureglide, capacity relative to R410A, and capacity relative to R32.

FIGS. 44 and 45 each illustrate a matrix based on a respective one ofFIGS. 43 and 44 that can be used to select a refrigerant compositionwith a desired set of properties in an embodiment.

FIGS. 46 and 47 each illustrate a matrix based on a respective one ofFIGS. 43 and 44 that can be used to select a refrigerant compositionwith a desired set of properties in an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Compositions and methods are described for reducing flammability and/orGWP in a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration(HVACR) system, for example, by having a refrigerant composition thatincludes a blend of refrigerants. Refrigerant compositions and methodsof use are described which can be used for retrofitting; servicing;controlling flammability; improving performance, lubricant solubility,and miscibility; and improving the safety of an HVACR system.

Refrigerant compositions that include R1123 and R32 are proposed asalternatives for R410A, R32, and/or R22 and as a refrigerant for HVACRsystems designed for R410, R32, and/or R22. Refrigerant compositionsthat include R1123 and R32, and one or more additional refrigerants areproposed as alternatives for R410A, R32, and/or R22 and as a refrigerantin HVACR systems designed for R410, R32, and/or R22.

Some refrigerant compositions described include R1123, R32, and CF₃I,and are proposed as alternatives for R410A and/or R32 and as arefrigerant for HVACR systems designed for R410 and/or R32. Somerefrigerant compositions described include R1123, R32, and R125, and areproposed as alternatives for R410A and/or R32 as a refrigerant for HVACRsystems designed for R410 and/or R32.

Some refrigerant compositions described include R1123, R32, CF₃I, andR125 and are proposed as alternatives for R410A and/or R32 as arefrigerant for HVACR systems designed for R410 and/or R32. Somerefrigerant compositions described include R1123, R32, R125, and

R123yf and are proposed as alternatives for R410A and/or R32 and as arefrigerant for HVACR systems designed for R410 and/or R32. Somerefrigerant compositions described include R1123, R32, CF₃I, and R1234yfand are proposed as alternatives for R410A and/or R32 and as arefrigerant for HVACR systems designed for R410 and/or R32.

R32 (e.g., difluoromethane or difluoroethane) has a GWP of 677 and ismildly flammable (burning velocity of about 6.7 cm/s; classification A2under ASHRAE Standard 34). GWP described herein is based on the valuesreported in the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panelon Climate Change (“AR5”).

R125 (e.g., pentafluoroethane) has a GWP of 3,170 and is nonflammable(classification A1 under ASHRAE Standard 34). Refrigerants orrefrigerant compositions may be defined as nonflammable as defined byASHRAE standard 34 (e.g., flame propagation of less than 90° when testedin a spherical vessel under specified conditions). For example, R125 hasa capacity that is approximately 71% of the capacity of R32 andapproximately 76% of the capacity of R410A, when utilized in normalair-conditioning operating condition (e.g., Tevap=52.5° F. with 15° F.suction superheat and Tcond=115° F. with 15° F. of exit liquidsubcooling). For example, R125 has a thermodynamic efficiency that isapproximately 96.6% of the thermodynamic efficiency of R32 and 97.5% ofthe thermodynamic efficiency R410A, when utilized in normalair-conditioning operating conditions.

R410A is a mixture of equal parts by weight of R32 and R125. R410A has ahigh GWP of 1924, and is nonflammable (classified as A1 under ASHRAEStandard 34).

R22 (e.g., chlorodifluoromethane and/or difluoromonochloromethane) has aGWP of 1810, and is nonflammable (classified as A1 under ASHRAE Standard34). R22 has a lower capacity than R410A and R32, and a higherthermodynamic efficiency relative to R410A and R32. For example, R22 hasa capacity of approximately 63% relative to R32 and 68% relative toR410A, when utilized in normal air-conditioning operating conditions(e.g., Tevap=52.5° F. with 15° F. suction superheat and Tcond=115° F.with 15° F. of exit liquid subcooling). For example, the thermodynamicefficiency of R22 is equal to 105% of R32 and 106% of R410A, whenutilized in normal air-conditioning operating conditions. When utilizedin normal air-conditioning operating conditions, R22 has a compressordischarge temperature of about 5° F. greater than R410A, a density inthe liquid phase of 92% relative to R410A, and a mass flow rate of 72%relative to R410A.

R1123 (e.g. trifluoroethene and/or trifluoroethylene) has a GWP of lessthan 1 and is mildly flammable (burning velocity of about 6.6 cm/s;requested classification as A2L under ASHRAE Standard 34). R1123 has asimilar flammability to R32. R1123 has a higher capacity than R410A andR32, but a lower thermodynamic efficiency relative to R410A and R32. Forexample, R1123 has a capacity of approximately 102.6% relative to R32and 110.6% relative to R410A, when utilized in normal air-conditioningoperating conditions. For example, the thermodynamic efficiency of R1123is equal to 90.8% of R32 and 91.8% of R410A, when utilized in normalair-conditioning operating conditions. The efficiency of a refrigerantcomposition decreases almost linearly as the concentration of R1123increases relative to the concentration of R32. For example,thermodynamic efficiency monotonically decreases as the concentration ofR1123 increases and the concentration of R32 decreases.

R1123 and R32 can form an azeotrope near 80%-90% R1123. Near-azeotropicbehavior exists over essentially the full range of compositions of R1123and R32 with a maximum temperature glide of ≤1° Fd. The low criticaltemperature and reduced capacity and efficiency in this region may makethe binary blend less suitable. R1123 has a critical temperature (139°F.) that is lower than the critical temperature of R32 (173° F.), and asaturation dome that is relatively narrow relative to R32 (Δhfg @ 115°F. is ˜68 Btu/lbm for R1123 vs 95 Btu/lbm for R32). Compositions havinga blend of R1123 and R32 have shown lower burning velocities than theR1123 or R32 alone. For example, a composition including about 40 to 45wt % of R1123 and about 55 to 60 wt % of R32 has a burning velocity ofabout 3 cm/s.

R1123, when used by itself as a working fluid in a HVACR system, canpotentially undergo decomposition. Experimentation has shown that mixingR1123 with another refrigerant, such as R32, can prevent decompositionof R1123. R1234yf, CF₃I, and R125 are likely to similarly prevent R1123from undergoing decomposition when mixed with R1123 and used as theworking fluid in an HVACR system. R1123 may be used with otherrefrigerants to provide a refrigerant composition with a lower GWP.

R1234yf (e.g., 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoroethene or 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene)has a GWP of less than 1 and is mildly flammable (burning velocity ofabout 1.5 cm/s; classified as A2L under ASHRAE Standard 34). R1234yf hasa capacity that is much less than R32 or R410A. For example, R1234yf hasa capacity that is approximately 40.3% of R32 and 43.4% of R410A, whenutilized in normal air-conditioning operating conditions. For example,the thermodynamic efficiency of R1234yf is equal to 105.4% of R32 and106.5% of R410A, when utilized in normal air-conditioning operatingconditions.

CF₃I is a fire suppressant with a low GWP (approximately 0.4 in AR5) andhas thermodynamic properties similar to R410A and R32. CF₃I may be usedwith other refrigerants to provide a refrigerant blend that has a lowerGWP. CF₃I may be used with other refrigerants to provide a refrigerantblend that has a lower GWP and is nonflammable.

Embodiments disclosed are directed to refrigerant compositions, methodsof retrofitting a refrigerant composition, and methods of making arefrigerant composition. In some embodiments, the refrigerantcompositions have a capacity that is at or about 85% or greater than 85%of the capacity of R410A. In some embodiments, the refrigerantcompositions have a capacity that is at or about 85% or greater than 85%of the capacity R410A and are nonflammable. In some embodiments, the GWPof the refrigerant compositions is at or about R410A or less than R410A.In some embodiments, the GWP of the refrigerant compositions is at orabout 1500 or less than 1500. In some embodiments, the GWP of therefrigerant compositions is at or about 750 or less than 750. In someembodiments, the GWP of the refrigerant compositions is at or about 675or less than 675. In some embodiments, the GWP of the refrigerantcompositions is at or about 300 or less than 300.

In some embodiments, the refrigerant compositions have a capacity thatis at or about 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity R32. In someembodiments, the refrigerant compositions have a capacity that is at orabout 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity R32 and are nonflammable.In some embodiments, the GWP of the refrigerant compositions is at orabout 1500 or less than 1500. In some embodiments, the GWP of therefrigerant compositions is at or about 750 or less than 750. In someembodiments, the GWP of the refrigerant composition is at or about 675or less than 675. In some embodiments, the GWP of the said refrigerantcompositions is at or about R32 or less than R32. In In someembodiments, the GWP of the refrigerant compositions is at or about 300or less than 300.

In some embodiments, the refrigerant compositions have a capacity thatis at or about 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity R22. In someembodiments, the refrigerant compositions have a capacity that is at orabout 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity R22 and are nonflammable.In some embodiments, the GWP of the said refrigerant compositions is ator about R22 or less than R22. In some embodiments, the GWP of therefrigerant compositions is less at or about 1500 or less than 1500. Insome embodiments, the GWP of the refrigerant compositions is at or about750 or less than 750. In some embodiments, the GWP of the refrigerantcompositions is at or about 675 or less than 675. In some embodiments,the GWP of the refrigerant compositions is at or about 300 or less than300.

In an embodiment, a refrigerant composition with a specific set ofperformance properties may be desired. In some embodiments, therefrigerant composition may be utilized in an HVACR designed for R410A.In such embodiments, it would be desired for the refrigerant compositionto perform similar to R410A so that the HVACR system does not have to bemodified. In some embodiments, the refrigerant composition may beutilized in an HVACR designed for R32. In such embodiments, it would bedesired for the refrigerant composition or retrofitted composition toperform similar to R32 so that the HVACR system does not have to bemodified. In some embodiments, the refrigerant composition may beutilized in an HVACR designed for R22. In such embodiments, it would bedesired for the refrigerant composition or retrofitted composition toperform similar to R22 so that the HVACR system does not have to bemodified.

Performance of a refrigerant may be based on one or more properties ofthe refrigerant composition. For example, properties that affectperformance are capacity, temperature glide, coefficient of performance(thermodynamic efficiency), a compressor discharge temperature, massflow rate, and a density of the refrigerant when in the liquid phase. Inan embodiment, a composition having a specific capacity and one or moreof the other performance properties may be desired. In some embodiments,a composition with a capacity that is at or about 85% or greater than85% of the capacity of R410A may be desired. In some embodiments, acomposition with a capacity that is at or about 85% or greater than 85%of the capacity of R32 may be desired. In some embodiments, acomposition with a capacity that is at or about 85% or greater than 85%of the capacity of R22 may be desired.

A HVACR system may be designed to utilize a specific refrigerant (e.g.,R410A, R32, R22). If the HVACR system is modified to utilize a workingfluid that has a capacity less than 85% of the specific refrigerant, itmay result in, for example, requiring a compressor with a largervolumetric displacement, larger amounts of process fluid, and/or largertemperature differences that decrease the efficiency of the HVACRsystem. In some embodiments, a working fluid with a capacity that is ator about 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity of the specificrefrigerant (e.g., R410A, R32, R22) may be desired. In some embodiments,a working fluid with a capacity that is at or about 90% or greater than90% of the capacity of the specific refrigerant (e.g., R410A, R32, R22)may be desired. For example, a working fluid with a capacity that is ator about 10% or less than 10% from the specified refrigerant can have aminimal impact on the efficiency of the HVACR system designed for thespecific refrigerant. A working fluid with a capacity that greater than5% from the capacity of the specific refrigerant (e.g., R410A, R32, R22)can result in, for example, an even lesser impact on the efficiency ofthe HVACR system designed for the specific refrigerant (e.g., R410A,R32, R22). The performance properties may be relative to the performanceproperties of R410A, R32, or R22. In some embodiments, one or moreproperties of a refrigerant composition may be simulated and/orestimated by an Excel-based vapor compression thermodynamic cycle toolutilizing NIST's REFPROP program to compute thermodynamic properties.

An HVACR system can be used to cool or heat one or more conditionedspaces. A HVACR system may utilize a refrigerant in a circuit to cool orheat a process fluid (e.g., air, water). For example, an HVACR system insome instances will cool or heat an area by performing work on arefrigerant that is in a heat exchange relationship with air. The cooledor heated air may then be ventilated to an area to cool or heat thearea.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a heat transfer circuit 1 of a HVACRsystem, according to an embodiment. The heat transfer circuit 1 includesa compressor 2, a condenser 3, an expansion device 4, and an evaporator5. In an embodiment, the heat transfer circuit 1 can be modified toinclude additional components. For example, the heat transfer circuit 1in an embodiment can include an economizer heat exchanger, one or moreflow control devices, a receiver tank, a dryer, a suction-liquid heatexchanger, or the like.

The components of the heat transfer circuit 1 are fluidly connected. Theheat transfer circuit 1 can be configured as a cooling system (e.g., afluid chiller of an HVACR, an air conditioning system, and the like)that can be operated in a cooling mode, and/or the heat transfer circuit1 can be configured to operate as a heat pump system that can run in acooling mode and a heating mode.

The heat transfer circuit 1 as described applies known principles of gascompression and heat transfer. The heat transfer circuit can beconfigured to heat or cool a process fluid (e.g., water, air). In anembodiment, the heat transfer circuit 1 may represent a chiller thatcools a process fluid such as water or the like. In an embodiment, theheat transfer circuit 1 may represent an air conditioner and/or heatpump that includes a process fluid such as air or the like.

During the operation of the refrigerant circuit 1, a working fluid(e.g., refrigerant, refrigerant mixture) flows into the compressor 2from the evaporator 5 at a relatively lower pressure in a gaseous state.The compressor 2 compresses the gas into a high pressure state, whichalso heats the gas. After being compressed, the relatively higherpressure and higher temperature gas flows from the compressor 2 to thecondenser 3. In addition to the refrigerant flowing through thecondenser 3, an external fluid (e.g., external air, external water,chiller water, and the like) also flows through the condenser 3. Theexternal fluid absorbs the heat from the working fluid as it flowsthrough the condenser 3. The working fluid condenses to liquid and thenflows into the expansion device 4. The expansion device 4 reduces thepressure of the working fluid. The reduced pressure allows the workingfluid to expand and be converted to a mixed vapor and liquid state. Therelatively lower temperature, vapor/liquid working fluid then flows intothe evaporator 5. A process fluid (e.g., air, water, and the like) alsoflows through the evaporator 5. In accordance with known principles, theworking fluid absorbs heat from the process fluid as it flows throughthe evaporator 5. As the working fluid absorbs heat, the working fluidevaporates to vapor. The working fluid then returns to the compressor 2.The above-described process continues while the heat transfer circuit 1is operated, for example, in a cooling mode.

The refrigerant compositions and methods described herein may be used inthe heat transfer circuit 1 of the HVACR system. For example, methods ofretrofitting a refrigeration composition may be applied to the heatcircuit 1 of FIG. 1 and/or to retrofit the refrigerant composition ofthe working fluid in the HVACR system. Further, refrigerationcompositions described herein may be used as a working fluid in the heattransfer circuit 1 of FIG. 1. Additionally, methods for retrofitting arefrigerant composition described here may be carried out on the workingfluid in the heat transfer circuit 1 of FIG. 1.

Refrigerant Compositions Including R32, R1123, and CF₃I

FIG. 2 illustrates a matrix 100 of refrigerant compositions of R1123,R32, and CF₃I that was developed to show plots of GWP, flammability,temperature glide, capacity relative to R410A, and capacity relative toR32 as function of the concentration of R1123, R32, and CF₃I. Each side101, 102, 103 of the triangle corresponds to weight percentages ofR1123, R32, and CF₃I, respectively. Each vertex 104, 105, 106 of thetriangle corresponds to a composition of 100 wt % R1123, 100 wt % R32,and 100 wt % CF₃I, respectively. Properties (e.g., GWP, flammability,capacity relative to R410A or R32) of a refrigerant composition with aweight percent of R1123, R32, and CF₃I can be estimated using the matrix100.

Properties of the compositions for the matrix 100 were estimated using athermodynamic model. The boundary between flammable and non-flammablecompositions is shown by the dotted line extending from side 102 to side103. Flammable compositions are on the right side of the boundary andnon-flammable compositions are on the left side of the boundary. Theboundary is based on the flammability characteristics of R1123, R32,CF₃I, R410A, and the flame suppressant properties of CF₃I. GWP is basedon the GWP of individual components and the method described in ASHRAEStandard 34 for calculating the GWP of refrigerant blends.

The flammability boundary is estimated based on known characteristics ofthe individual components and various binary mixtures of the components.Accordingly, the amount of each refrigerant in a composition along theflammability boundary may, for example, vary by up to about 5 percent inan embodiment. It should be appreciated the compositions and rangesshown and/or described may be updated based on further testing toconfirm the location of the flammability boundary.

Each of FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a matrix 120, 140 based on matrix 100of FIG. 2 and that has the same sides and vertices as the matrix 100 ofFIG. 2. Each matrix 120, 140 is the same as the matrix 100 of FIG. 2,except the matrices 120, 140 do not include the capacities relative toR32 and illustrates ranges of refrigerant compositions. Each matrix 120,140 can be used in a method of making a refrigerant compositionincluding R1123, R32, and CF₃I and/or in a method of retrofitting arefrigerant composition so that the resulting refrigerant composition orretrofitted refrigerant composition has one or more desired properties.As shown in FIG. 2, an increase in the weight percentage of R32 (shownby side 102) in a composition also increases the GWP of the composition.

In an embodiment, a desired set of properties of a useful refrigerantcomposition includes a GWP of at or about 300 or less than 300 and acapacity that is at or about 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity ofR410A. As discussed above, R1123 when used by itself as a working fluiddecomposes. R1123 may be stable when mixed another refrigerant such asR32 or CF₃I and the mixture contains at or about 80 wt % or less than 80wt % of the R1123. This is estimated based on the characteristics ofR1123, CF₃I and R32. Accordingly, this maximum for the amount of R1123may be updated based on further testing.

Based on these desired properties, a range of useful refrigerantcompositions 121 is shown in matrix 120 of FIG. 3. The usefulrefrigerant compositions 121 include at or about 44 wt %, or less than44 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R32; at or about 80 wt %, or lessthan 80 wt % of R1123 and greater than 0 wt % of R1123; and at or about65 wt %, or less than 65% and greater than 0 wt % of CF₃I.

In an embodiment, the useful compositions 121 may include preferredcompositions 130 as shown in FIG. 3. The properties of the preferredcompositions 130 include a capacity at or about 85% or greater than 85%of the capacity of R410A, a GWP at or about 300 or less than 300, and atemperature glide at or about 10° F. or less than 10° F. The preferredcompositions 130 include at or about 44 wt %, or less than 44 wt % andgreater than 0 wt % of R32; at or about 80 wt %, or less than 80 wt % ofR1123 and greater than 0 wt % of R1123; and at or about 64 wt %, or lessthan 64% and greater than 0 wt % of CF₃I.

FIG. 3 also includes a shaded area 125. The compositions within theshaded area 125 have a ratio of R1123 to R32 (R1123:R32) by weight thatis from at or about 60:40 to at or about 40:60. In an embodiment,compositions having a ratio of R1123 to R32 that is from about 60:40 toabout 40:60 have high stability and similar thermodynamic properties asR410A as discussed below regarding FIGS. 7A-7D. In some embodiments, aset of desired properties may include the high stability andadvantageous thermodynamic properties provided by the compositionswithin the shaded area 125. In such embodiments, desired compositionsmay be selected from the compositions shown in FIG. 3 (e.g., usefulcompositions 121 and/or preferred compositions 130) and described withrespect to FIG. 3 so as to be within the shaded area 125.

Of the compositions within the shaded area 125, compositions 125A, 125B,and 125C may be desired as they have thermodynamic properties similar toR410A. Composition 125A includes at or about 22 wt % of R1123, at orabout 22 wt % of R32, and at or about 56 wt % of CF₃I. Composition 125Bincludes at or about 11 wt % of R1123, at or about 44 wt % of R32, andat or about 45 wt % of CF₃I. Composition 125C includes at or about 9 wt% of R1123, at or about 35 wt % of R32, and at or about 56 wt % of CF₃I.Table 1 below shows various properties of compositions 125A-125B. Table1 also includes the reference values used for R410A. In calculatingthermodynamic properties, the assumption is that compressor volumetricdisplacement is constant. The increase in isentropic enthalpy may beused in specific types of compressors, such as centrifugal compressors.In an embodiment, one or more end points in the ranges of each component(R1123/R32/CF₃I) for compositions 125A-125C may be used as an end pointfor a desired composition.

TABLE 1 Properties of R410A and Compositions 125A, 125B, 125C R410A 125A125B 125C Capacity* 0.912¹  85.7% 97.4%   90.1% GWP 1,924 150 298 238Coefficient of Performance* 4.467 100.6% 100% 100.1% CompressorDischarge 173.2° F. +20° F. +19° F. +21° F. Temperature* Mass Flow Rate*162.0   135% 109.6%   120.7% Density (Liquid)* 58.4 lb_(m)/ft³  16.7%120%   132% Temperature Glide (at 0.2° F. 16.7° F. 5.5° F. 10.1° F.compressor) Compressor Pressure Ratio 2.58 102.5% 99.9%  100.9%(Discharge Pressure:Suction Pressure)* Average Pressure in Condenser406.4 psia 342 psia 388 psia 359 psia Average Pressure in Evaporator157.5 psia 129 psia 151 psia 138 psia Temperature Critical Point 160.4°F. 187° F. 184° F. 191° F. *Property for Compositions 125A, 125B, and125C are relative to R410A (100% being equal to R410A). ¹Tons per CFM ofcompressor displacement (assumed to be fixed).

In an embodiment, the desired property of the GWP being equal or lessthan 300 may be different. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWPof at or about 200 or less than 200 may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a GWP of at or about 150 or less than 150 may bedesired. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 150to at or about 300 may be desired. In such embodiments, desiredcompositions may be selected from the compositions shown in FIG. 3(e.g., useful compositions 121 and/or preferred compositions 130) anddescribed with respect to FIG. 3 to include compositions with thedesired GWP.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the capacity being at or about85% or greater than 85% of the capacity of R410A may be different. In anembodiment, a composition having a capacity at or about 90% or greaterthan 90% of the capacity of R410A may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a capacity at or about 95% or greater than 95% of thecapacity of R410A may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition havinga capacity at or about the capacity of R410A or greater than thecapacity of R410A may be desired. In such embodiments, desiredcompositions may be selected from the compositions shown in FIG. 3(e.g., useful compositions 121 and/or preferred compositions 130) anddescribed with respect to FIG. 3 to include compositions with thedesired capacity.

In an embodiment, a desired property of the temperature glide may bedifferent than 10° F. In an embodiment, a composition having atemperature glide at or about 15° F. or less than 15° F. may be desired.In an embodiment, a composition having a temperature glide at or about12° F. or less than 12° F. may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a temperature glide at or about 5° F. or less than 5°F. may be desired. In such embodiments, desired compositions may beselected from the compositions shown in FIG. 3 (e.g., usefulcompositions 121 and/or preferred compositions 130) and described withrespect to FIG. 3 to include compositions with the desired capacity.

In an embodiment, a desired set of properties of a refrigerantcomposition includes being nonflammable and a capacity that is at orabout 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity of R410A. Based on thesedesired properties, a range of useful refrigerant compositions 141 isshown in matrix 140 of FIG. 4. The useful refrigerant compositions 141includes at or about 2% to at or about 60 wt % of R32; at or about 58 wt%, or less than 58 wt % of R1123 and greater than 0 wt % of R1123; andat or about 32 wt % to at or about 65% of CF₃I.

In an embodiment, the useful compositions 141 may include preferredcompositions 150 as shown in FIG. 4. The properties of the preferredcompositions 150 include being nonflammable, a capacity greater than 85%of the capacity of R410A, and a temperature glide at or about 10° F. orless than 10° F. The preferred compositions 150 include at or about 22wt % to at or about 60 wt % of R32; at or about 44 wt %, or less than 44wt % of R1123 and greater than 0 wt % of R1123; and at or about 32 wt %to at or about 64 wt % of CF₃I. Of preferred compositions 150,compositions 150A may be desired in an embodiment as they have a GWP ofat or about 300 or less than 300. Compositions 150A are an example of aparticular range of compositions that may be desired depending upon theset of desired properties in an embodiment.

FIG. 4 also includes a shaded area 135. The compositions within theshaded area 135 have a ratio of R1123 to R32 (R1123:R32) by weight thatis from at or about 60:40 to at or about 40:60. In an embodiment,compositions having a ratio of R1123 to R32 from about 60:40 to about40:60 have high stability and similar thermodynamic properties relativeto R410A as discussed below regarding FIGS. 7A-7D. In some embodiments,a set of desired properties may include high stability and one or moreof the advantageous thermodynamic properties provided by compositionswithin the shaded area 135. In such embodiments, desired compositionsmay be selected from the compositions shown in FIG. 4 (e.g., usefulcompositions 141 and/or preferred compositions 150) and described withrespect to FIG. 4 so as to include compositions within the shaded area135.

Of the compositions within the shaded area 135, compositions 135A, 135B,and 135C may be desired as they have thermodynamic properties similar toR410A. Composition 135A includes at or about 32.5 wt % of R1123, at orabout 32.5 wt % R32, and at or about 35 wt % of CF₃I. Composition 135Bincludes at or about 40 wt % of R1123, at or about 38 wt % of R32, andat or about 37 wt % of CF₃I. Composition 135C includes at or about 39 wt% of R1123, at or about 29 wt % of R32, and at or about 32 wt % of CF₃I.Table 2 below shows various properties of compositions 135A-135C. Table2 also includes the reference values used for R410A. In calculatingthermodynamic properties, the assumption is that compressor volumetricdisplacement is constant. The increase in isentropic enthalpy may beused in specific types of compressors, such as centrifugal compressors.In an embodiment, one or more end points in the ranges of each component(R1123/R32/CF₃I) for compositions 135A-135C may be used as an end pointfor a desired composition.

TABLE 2 Properties of R410A and Compositions 135A, 135B, 135C R410A 135A135B 135C Capacity* 0.912¹ 100.0% 99.9 100.3%   GWP 1,924 221 258 190Coefficient of Performance* 4.467 98.1% .988 97.5%  Compressor Discharge173.2° F. +17.1° F. +17.6 +16.5° F. Temperature* Mass Flow Rate* 162.0112.4% 110.0 114% Density (Liquid)* 58.4 lb_(m)/ft³ 1.119% 112.6 111%Temperature Glide (at 0.2° F. 7.2° F. 6.1° F. 7.9° F. compressor)Compressor Pressure Ratio 2.58 100.7% 100.2% 101.1%   (DischargePressure:Suction Pressure)* Isentropic Enthalpy Increase 11.61 90.7%92.1% 89.9%  Average Pressure in Condenser 406.4 psia 408.6 psia 404.5psia 413.5 psia Average Pressure in Evaporator 157.5 psia 157.3 psia156.5 psia 158.6 psia Temperature Critical Point 160.4° F. 173.5° F.176.7° F. 170.1° F. *Property for Compositions 135A, 135B, and 135C arerelative to R410A (100% being equal to R410A). ¹Tons per CFM ofcompressor displacement (assumed to be fixed).

In an embodiment, the set of desired properties may include a specificGWP. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 300 orless than 300 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having aGWP of at or about 200 or less than 200 may be desired. In anembodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 150 or less than150 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP of ator about 150 to at or about 300 may be desired. In such embodiments,desired compositions may be selected from the compositions shown in FIG.4 (e.g., useful compositions 141 and/or preferred compositions 150) anddescribed with respect to FIG. 4 to include compositions with thedesired GWP.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the capacity being equal orgreater than 85% of the capacity of R410A may be different. In anembodiment, a composition having a capacity at or about 90% or greaterthan 90% of the capacity of R410A may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a capacity at or about 95% or greater than 95% of thecapacity of R410A may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition havinga capacity at or about the capacity of R410A or greater than thecapacity of R410A may be desired. In such embodiments, desiredcompositions may be selected from the compositions shown in FIG. 4(e.g., useful compositions 141 and/or preferred compositions 150) anddescribed with respect to FIG. 4 so as to include compositions with thedesired capacity.

In an embodiment, a desired property of the temperature glide may bedifferent than 10° F. In an embodiment, a composition having atemperature glide at or about 15° F. or less than 15° F. may be desired.In an embodiment, a composition having a temperature glide at or about12° F. or less than 12° F. may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a temperature glide at or about 5° F. or less than 5°F. may be desired. In such embodiments, desired compositions may beselected from the compositions shown in FIG. 4 (e.g., usefulcompositions 141 and/or preferred compositions 150) and described withrespect to FIG. 4 so as to include compositions with the desiredtemperature glide.

Each of FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a matrix 160, 180 based on matrix 100of FIG. 2 and has the same sides and vertices as the matrix 100 of FIG.2. Each matrix 160, 180 is the same as the matrix 100 of FIG. 2, exceptthe matrices 160, 180 do not include capacities relative to R410A andillustrate ranges of compositions that may be desirable based on aspecific set of desired properties. Each matrix 160, 180 can be used ina method of making a refrigerant composition including R1123, R32, andCF₃I and/or in a method of retrofitting a refrigerant composition sothat the produced refrigerant composition or retrofitted refrigerantcomposition has one or more desired properties.

In an embodiment, a desired set of properties of a refrigerantcomposition includes being stable, a GWP at or about 300 or less than300, and a capacity that is at or about 85% or greater than 85% of thecapacity of R32. Based on these desired properties, a range of usefulrefrigerant compositions 161 is shown in matrix 160 of FIG. 5. Asdiscussed above, a composition having at or about 80 wt % or less than80 wt % of R1123 may be stable as the composition contains a largeenough amount of other refrigerants (e.g., CF₃I and R32) to prevent theR1123 from decomposing. Accordingly, the upper end point for the amountof R1123 being at or about 80% or less than 80% may be updated based onfurther testing. The useful refrigerant compositions 161 include at orabout 44 wt %, or less than 44 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R32; ator about 80 wt %, or less than 80 wt % of R1123 and greater than 0 wt %of R1123; and at or about 56 wt %, or less than about 56 wt % andgreater than 0 wt % of CF₃I.

In an embodiment, the useful compositions 161 may include preferredcompositions 170 as shown in FIG. 5. The properties of the preferredcompositions 170 include a capacity at or about 85% or greater than 85%of the capacity of R32, a GWP at or about 300 or less than 300, and atemperature glide at or about 10° F. or less than 10° F. The preferredcompositions 170 include at or about 44 wt %, or less than 44 wt % andgreater than 0 wt % of R32; at or about 80 wt %, or less than 80 wt %and greater than 0 wt % of R1123; and at or about 56 wt %, or less than56% and greater than 0 wt % of CF₃I.

FIG. 5 also includes a shaded area 165. The compositions within theshaded area 165 have a ratio of R1123 to R32 (R1123:R32) by weight thatis from at or about 60:40 to at or about 40:60. In an embodiment,compositions having a ratio of R1123 to R32 that is from about 60:40 toabout 40:60 have higher stability. In some embodiments, a set of desiredproperties may include higher stability. In such embodiments, desiredcompositions may be selected from the compositions shown in FIG. 5(e.g., useful compositions 161 and/or preferred compositions 170) anddescribed with respect to FIG. 5 so as to include compositions withinthe shaded area 165.

Of the useful compositions 161, compositions 161A-161C may be desired inan embodiment as they have a capacity that is comparable to R32.Composition 161B has a ratio of R1123 to R32 (R1123:R32) of 50:50.Composition 161A includes at or about 48.6 wt % of R1123, about or about32.4 wt % of R32, and at or about 19 wt % of CF₃I. Composition 161Bincludes at or about 39.5 wt % of R1123, at or about 39.5 wt % of R32,and at or about 21.0 wt % of CF₃I. Composition 161C includes at or about34 wt % of R1123, at or about 44 wt % of R32, and at or about 22 wt % ofCF₃I. Thermodynamic properties for compositions 161A-161C are shownbelow in Table 3. Table 3 also includes the reference properties usedfor R32. The properties in Table 3 were calculated in a similar manneras discussed above regarding Table 2.

TABLE 3 Properties of R32 and Compositions 161A, 161B, 161C R32 161A161B 161C Capacity** 0.983¹ 100.2% 100.0% 99.8% GWP 677 220 268 298Coefficient of Performance* 4.513 95.5% 96.4% 97.0% Compressor Discharge202.0 +14.3° F. +13.0° F. +12.2° F. Temperature* Mass Flow Rate* 108.6lb_(m)/ft³ 160.2% 154.2% 150.4% Density (Liquid)* 53.77 111.2% 112.2%112.7% Temperature Glide (at 0.0 3.3° F. 3.6° F. 4.1° F. compressor)Compressor Pressure Ratio 2.59 99.2% 99.3% 99.6% (DischargePressure:Suction Pressure)* Isentropic Enthalpy Increase 17.14 65.4%67.2% 68.5% *Property for Compositions 161A, 161B, and 161C are relativeto R410A (100% being equal to R410A). **Capacity for Compositions 161A,161B, and 161C are relative to R32 (100% being equal to R32) ¹Tons perCFM of compressor displacement (assumed to be fixed).

In an embodiment, the desired property of the GWP being equal or lessthan 300 may be different. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWPof at or about 200 or less than 200 may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a GWP of at or about 150 or less than 150 may bedesired. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 150to at or about 300 may be desired. In such embodiments, desiredcompositions may be selected from the compositions shown in FIG. 5(e.g., useful compositions 161 and/or preferred compositions 170) anddescribed with respect to FIG. 5 to include compositions with thedesired GWP.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the capacity being at or about85% or greater than 85% of the capacity of R32 may be different. In anembodiment, a composition having a capacity at or about 90% or greaterthan 90% of the capacity of R32 may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a capacity at or about 95% or greater than 95% of thecapacity of R32 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having acapacity at or about the capacity of R32 or greater than the capacity ofR32 may be desired. In such embodiments, desired compositions may beselected from the compositions shown in FIG. 5 (e.g., usefulcompositions 161 and/or preferred compositions 170) and described withrespect to FIG. 5 to include compositions with the desired capacity.

In an embodiment, a desired property of the temperature glide may bedifferent than 10° F. In an embodiment, a composition having atemperature glide at or about 15° F. or less than 15° F. may be desired.In an embodiment, a composition having a temperature glide at or about12° F. or less than 12° F. may be desired. In such embodiments, theuseful compositions shown in FIG. 5 would include those compositionswith the desired temperature glide. In an embodiment, a compositionhaving a temperature glide at or about 5° F. or less than 5° F. may bedesired. In such embodiments, desired compositions may be selected fromthe compositions shown in FIG. 5 (e.g., useful compositions 161 and/orpreferred compositions 170) and described with respect to FIG. 4 toinclude compositions with the desired temperature glide.

In an embodiment, a desired set of properties of a refrigerantcomposition includes being nonflammable and a capacity that is at orabout 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity of R32. Based on thesedesired properties, a range of useful refrigerant compositions 180 isshown in matrix 180 of FIG. 6. The useful refrigerant compositions 181include at or about 10% to at or about 60 wt % of R32; at or about 53 wt%, or less than 53 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R1123; and at orabout 32 wt % to at or about 56% of CF₃I.

In an embodiment, the useful compositions 181 may include preferredcompositions 190 as shown in FIG. 6. The properties of the preferredcompositions 190 include a capacity at or about 85% or greater than 85%of the capacity of R32, a GWP at or about 300 or less than 300, and atemperature glide at or about 10° F. or less than 10° F. The preferredcompositions 190 include at or about 23% to at or about 60 wt % of R32;at or about 43 wt %, or less than 43 wt % and greater than 0 wt % ofR1123; and at or about 32 wt % to at or about 56% of CF₃I. FIG. 6 alsoincludes a shaded area 185. The compositions within the shaded area 185have a ratio of R1123 to R32 (R1123:R32) by weight that is from at orabout 60:40 to at or about 40:60. In an embodiment, compositions havinga ratio of R1123 to R32 that is from about 60:40 to about 40:60 havehigher stability. In some embodiments, a set of desired properties mayinclude higher stability. In such embodiments, desired compositions maybe selected from the compositions shown in FIG. 6 (e.g., usefulcompositions 181 and/or preferred compositions 190) and described withrespect to FIG. 6 so as to include those compositions within the shadedarea 185.

In an embodiment, the set of desired properties may include a specificGWP. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 300 orless than 300 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having aGWP of at or about 200 or less than 200 may be desired. In anembodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 150 or less than150 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP of ator about 150 to at or about 300 may be desired. In such embodiments,desired compositions may be selected from the compositions shown in FIG.6 (e.g., useful compositions 181 and/or preferred compositions 190) anddescribed with respect to FIG. 6 to include compositions with thedesired GWP.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the capacity at or about 85%or greater than 85% of the capacity of R32 may be different. In anembodiment, a composition having a capacity at or about 90% or greaterthan 90% of the capacity of R32 may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a capacity at or about 95% or greater than 95% of thecapacity of R32 may be desired. In such embodiments, desiredcompositions may be selected from the compositions shown in FIG. 6(e.g., useful compositions 181 and/or preferred compositions 190) anddescribed with respect to FIG. 6 to include compositions with thedesired capacity.

In an embodiment, a desired property of the temperature glide may bedifferent than 10° F. In an embodiment, a composition having atemperature glide at or about 12° F. or less than 12° F. may be desired.In such an embodiment, the useful compositions 181 shown in FIG. 6 wouldinclude those compositions with the desired temperature glide. In anembodiment, a composition having a temperature glide at or about 5° F.or less than 5° F. may be desired. In such embodiments, desiredcompositions may be selected from the compositions shown in FIG. 6(e.g., useful compositions 181 and/or preferred compositions 190) anddescribed with respect to FIG. 6 to include compositions with the GWP.

Each of FIGS. 7A-7D illustrates a matrix 200, 210, 220, 230 of athermodynamic property for compositions of R1123, R32, and CF₃I byweight percentage. Compositions in each matrix 200, 210, 220, 230 arecalculated similarly to the matrices 100, 120, 140, 160, 180 in FIGS.2-6. Accordingly, in FIGS. 7A-7D, the axes of R1123 are horizontal andparallel to the side for R32, the axes for R32 are parallel to the sidefor CF₃I, and the axes for CF₃I are parallel to the side for R1123. Eachmatrix 200, 210, 220, 230 shows values at each 10 wt % of R1123, R32,and CF₃I. For example, composition 201 in FIG. 7A corresponds to acomposition of 70 wt % R1123, 20 wt % R32, and 10 wt % CF₃I.

FIG. 7A illustrates a matrix 200 of coefficients of performance relativeto R410A (e.g., a coefficient of performance of a composition minus thecoefficient of performance for R410A divided by the coefficient ofperformance for R410A) for compositions of R1123, R32, and CF₃I. FIG. 7Billustrates a matrix 210 of compressor discharge temperatures inFahrenheit relative to R410A (e.g., compressor discharge temperatures ofa composition minus the compressor discharge temperature for R410A) forcompositions of R1123, R32, and CF₃I. FIG. 7C illustrates a matrix 220of densities of each composition when in a liquid phase relative to R410(e.g., density of a composition divided by the density in the liquidphase of R410A) for compositions of R1123, R32, and CF₃I. FIG. 7Dillustrates a matrix 230 of mass flow rates relative to R410A (e.g.,mass flow rate of a composition divided by the mass flow rate for R410A)for compositions of R1123, R32, and CF₃I.

Each matrix 200, 210, 220, 230 also specifies a range of compositions205, 215, 225, 235. The compositions within the range 205, 215, 225, 235have a ratio of R1123 to R32 (R1123:R32) by weight that is from at orabout 60:40 to at or about 40:60. As shown by FIG. 7A, the thermodynamicefficiency increases as the amount of CF₃I in a composition decreases.Compositions within the range 205 and near the middle of the matrix 200(e.g., near compositions have equal amounts of R1123/R32/CF₃I) having asimilar thermodynamic efficiency as R410A. As shown by FIG. 7B,compositions in the range 215 result in a moderate change in compressordischarge temperature of about 15° F. to about 20° F. This range ishigher than may be produced when using R452B (another proposedalternative to R410A), but is less than the about 30° F. that occurswith using R32. As shown by FIG. 7C, the compositions in the range 225have a density that is comparable to R410A. Compositions near the middleof the matrix 220 within the range 225 have a density that is about thesame as R410A. As shown in FIG. 7D, compositions in the range 235 haveslightly higher flow rates, but are similar near the middle of thematrix 235.

Performance of a refrigerant composition may be based on one or more ofa coefficient of performance, compressor discharge temperature, liquiddensity, and mass flow rate. In an embodiment, the desired set ofproperties includes one or more of a coefficient of performance,compressor discharge temperature, mass flow rate, and operatingpressure. In an embodiment, the set of desired properties result in therefrigerant composition performing in a comparable manner to R410A. Inan embodiment, the set of desired properties result in the refrigerantcomposition performing in a comparable manner to a R32. In anembodiment, a composition that has a coefficient of performance ofgreater than 97% relative to R410A or R32 is desired. In an embodiment,a composition that results in a change in the compressor dischargetemperature, relative to R410A or R32 is at or about 32° or less than32° F. may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition that results in achange in the compressor discharge temperature, relative to R410A orR32, that is at or about 20° F. or less than 20° F. may be preferred. Inan embodiment, a composition that results in a mass flow rate of at orabout 1.5 or less than 1.5 times greater than R410A or R32 may bedesired. In an embodiment, a composition that results in a mass flowrate of at or about 1.2 or less than 1.2 times greater than R410A or R32may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition that results in a massflow rate of at or about 1.1 or less than 1.1 times greater than R410Aor R32 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition that has a liquiddensity that is at or about 1.5 or less than 1.5 may be desired. FIGS.7A-7D provide values relative to R410A. The coefficient of performanceand compressor discharge temperature, are provided in Tables 2 and 3 forboth R410A and R32. For example, the matrices 200, 210, 220, and 230 maybe modified based on the values for R410 and R32 in Tables 2 and 3 toapproximate values relative to R32.

In such embodiments, one or more of FIGS. 7A-7D may be utilized toselect compositions having a desired coefficient of performance,compressor discharge temperature, mass flow rate, and/or operatingpressure. For example, desired compositions may be selected from thecompositions shown in and/or described with respect to one of the FIGS.3-6 to have a desired coefficient of performance, compressor dischargetemperature, mass flow rate, and/or operating pressure by utilizing oneor more of FIGS. 7A-7D. In an embodiment, a method of making arefrigerant composition and/or a method of retrofitting a refrigerantcomposition utilizes one or more of the matrices of FIGS. 2-7D so thatthe resulting refrigerant composition or retrofitted refrigerantcomposition has the desired set of properties.

Refrigerant Compositions Including R32, R1123, and R125

FIG. 8 illustrates a matrix 300 of refrigerant compositions of R1123,R32, and R125 that was developed to show plots of GWP, flammability,temperature glide, capacity relative to R410A, and capacity relative toR32 as function of the concentration of R1123, R32, and R125. The sides303, 302, 301 of the triangle correspond to weight percentages of R1123,R32, and R125, respectively. The vertices 304, 305, 306 of the trianglecorresponds to a composition of 100 wt % R1123, 100 wt % R32, and 100 wt% R125, respectively. Properties (e.g., GWP, flammability, capacityrelative to R410A or R32) of a refrigerant composition with a weightpercent of R1123, R32, and R125 can be estimated using the matrix 300.

In FIG. 8, refrigerant compositions containing various amounts of R1123and R32 are blended with R125. For example, the data points 310 and 312along the bottom side 302 of the matrix 300 represent a refrigerantcomposition containing 45 wt % of R1123 and 55 wt % of R32 and arefrigerant composition containing 40 wt % of R1123 and 60 wt % of R32,respectively. These are binary blends of R1123 and R32. These binaryblends are seen to provide capacities well in excess of R410A and wellin excess of R32. This may be a result of the interaction between R1123and R32, which produces an azeotrope with higher pressures than R1123and R32 individually.

Properties of the compositions for the matrix 300 were estimated using athermodynamic model. The boundary between flammable and nonflammablecompositions is shown by the thick solid line that extends from side 303(at about 55 wt % R1123) to side 301 (at about 45 wt % R125). Flammablecompositions are below the boundary and nonflammable compositions areabove the boundary. The boundary is based on the flammabilitycharacteristics of R1123, R32, R125, and R410A. GWP is based on the GWPof individual components and the method described in ASHRAE Standard 34for calculating the GWP of refrigerant blends. The flammability boundaryis estimated based on characteristics of the individual components andvarious binary mixtures of the components. Accordingly, the amount ofeach refrigerant in a composition along the flammability boundary may,for example, vary by up to about 5 percent in an embodiment. It shouldbe appreciated that the compositions and ranges shown and/or describedmay be updated based on further testing to confirm the location of theflammability boundary.

Each of FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a matrix 320, 340 based on matrix 300of FIG. 8 and has the same sides and vertices as the matrix 300 of FIG.8. Each matrix 320, 340 is the same as the matrix 300, except that thematrices 320, 340 illustrate specific ranges of refrigerantcompositions. In some embodiments, the compositions proposed in FIGS. 9and 10 may have properties to be suitable as a replacement for R410A.One or more of the matrices 320, 340 can be used to determinecomposition(s) with a desired set of properties.

In an embodiment, a desired set of properties of a useful refrigerantcomposition includes being stable (e.g., relative to R1123), a GWP of ator about 1500 or less than 1500, and a capacity that is in a range fromat or about 85% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R410A. Asdiscussed above, R1123 decomposes when used by itself as a workingfluid. R1123 may be stable when mixed another refrigerant such as R32and/or R125 and the mixture contains at or about 80 wt % or less thanabout 80 wt % of the R1123. Thus, a desired property of a usefulrefrigerant composition in such an embodiment includes containing at orabout 80% or less than 80% of R1123. This concentration of R1123 (at orabout than 80%) to provide stability is estimated based on thecharacteristics of R1123, R32, and R125. Accordingly, this upper endpoint for the amount of R1123 may be updated based on further testing.

Based on these desired properties, a range of useful refrigerantcompositions 321 is shown in matrix 320 of FIG. 9. The usefulrefrigerant compositions 321 include greater than 0 wt % and less than100 wt % of R32; at or about 80 wt %, or less than 80 wt % and greaterthan 0 wt % of R1123; and at or about 47 wt %, or less than 47 wt % andgreater than 0 wt % of R125.

In an embodiment, the useful compositions 321 may include preferredcompositions 330A, 330B as shown in FIG. 9. The properties of thepreferred compositions 330A, 330B include a capacity greater than 100%of the capacity of R410A and at or about 110% or less than 110% of thecapacity of R410A, and a GWP of at or about 750 or less than 750. Asshown in FIG. 9, the preferred compositions 330A, 330B are in twoseparate regions of the matrix. The preferred compositions 330A includeat or about 18 wt %, or less than 18 wt % and greater than 0 wt % ofR32; from at or about 62 wt % to at or about 80 wt % of R1123; and fromat or about 11 wt % to at or about 24 wt % of R125. The preferredcompositions 330B include at or about 78 wt %, or greater than 78 wt %and less than 100 wt % of R32; at or about 15 wt %, or less than 15 wt %of R1123 and greater than 0 wt % of R1123; and at or about 7 wt %, orless than 7 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R125.

FIG. 9 also includes a shaded area 325. The compositions within theshaded area 125 have a ratio of R1123 to R32 (R1123:R32) by weight thatis from at or about 60:40 to at or about 40:60. In an embodiment,compositions having a ratio of R1123 to R32 that is from about 60:40 toabout 40:60 provide higher stability. In some embodiments, a set ofdesired properties may include the high stability and advantageousthermodynamic properties provided by compositions within the shaded area325. In such embodiments, desired compositions may be selected from thecompositions shown in FIG. 9 (e.g., useful compositions 321) anddescribed with respect to FIG. 9 so as to include those compositionsalso within the shaded area 325.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the GWP being equal or lessthan 1500 may be different. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWPof at or about 1000 or less than 1000 may be desired. In an embodiment,a composition having a GWP of at or about 675 or less than 675 may bedesired. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 600or less than 600 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition havinga GWP of at or about 500 or less than 500 may be desired. In suchembodiments, desired compositions may be selected from the compositionsshown in FIG. 9 (e.g., useful compositions 321 and/or preferredcompositions 330A, 330B) and described with respect to FIG. 9 to includethose compositions with the desired GWP.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the capacity at or about 85%or greater than 85% of the capacity of R410A may be different. In anembodiment, a composition having a capacity at or about the capacity ofR410A or greater than the capacity of R410A may be desired. In anembodiment, a composition having a capacity from at or about 95% to ator about 105% of the capacity of R410A may be desired. In suchembodiments, desired compositions may be selected from the compositionsshown in FIG. 9 (e.g., useful compositions 321 and/or preferredcompositions 330A, 330B) and described with respect to FIG. 9 to includethose compositions with the desired capacity.

In an embodiment, the set of desired properties may include a specifictemperature glide. In an embodiment, a composition having a temperatureglide of at or about 1° F. or less than 1° F. may be desired. In anembodiment, a composition having a temperature glide at or about 0.5° F.or less than 0.5° F. may be desired. In such embodiments, desiredcompositions may be selected from the compositions shown in FIG. 9(e.g., useful compositions 321 and/or preferred compositions 330A, 330B)and described with respect to FIG. 9 to include those compositions withthe desired temperature glide

In an embodiment, a desired set of properties of a refrigerantcomposition includes being nonflammable, a capacity that is at or about85% or greater than 85% of the capacity of R410A, and a GWP of at orabout 1500 or less than 1500. Based on these desired properties, a rangeof useful refrigerant compositions 341 is shown in matrix 340 of FIG.10. The useful refrigerant compositions 341 include at or about 48 wt %,or less than 48 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R32; from at or about 15wt % to 55 wt % of R1123; and from at or about 30 wt % to at or about47% of R125.

In an embodiment, the useful compositions 341 may include preferredcompositions 350 as shown in FIG. 10. The properties of the preferredcompositions 350 include a capacity greater than 95% of the capacity ofR410A, a GWP at or about 1500 or less than 1500, and a temperature glideat or about 1° F. or less than 1° F. The preferred compositions 350include from at or about 37 wt % to at or about 48 wt % of R32, from ator about 15 wt % to at or about 33 wt % of R1123, and from at or about30 wt % to at or about 39 wt % of R125.

FIG. 10 also includes a shaded area 335. The compositions within theshaded area 335 have a ratio of R1123 to R32 (R1123:R32) by weight thatis from at or about 60:40 to at or about 40:60. In an embodiment,compositions having a ratio of R1123 to R32 from about 60:40 to about40:60 have high stability. In some embodiments, a set of desiredproperties may include high stability and one or more of theadvantageous thermodynamic properties provided by compositions withinthe shaded area 335. In such embodiments, desired compositions may beselected from the compositions shown in FIG. 10 (e.g., usefulcompositions 341 and/or preferred compositions 350) and described withrespect to FIG. 10 so as to include those compositions also within theshaded area 335.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the capacity at or about 85%or greater than 85% of the capacity of R410A may be different. In anembodiment, a composition having a capacity at or about 105% or lessthan 105% of the capacity of R410A may be desired. In such embodiments,desired compositions may be selected from the compositions shown in FIG.10 (e.g., useful compositions 341 and/or preferred compositions 350) anddescribed with respect to FIG. 10 to include those compositions havingthe desired capacity.

Each of FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrates a matrix 360, 380 based on matrix300 of FIG. 8 and that has the same sides and vertices as the matrix 300of FIG. 8. Each matrix 360, 380 is the same as the matrix 300 of FIG. 8,except the matrices 360, 380 illustrate ranges of compositions that maybe desirable based on a specific set of desired properties. In someembodiments, the compositions proposed in FIGS. 10 and 11 may haveproperties to be suitable as a replacement for R32.

In an embodiment, a desired set of properties of a refrigerantcomposition includes being stable (e.g., with respect to R1123), a GWPat or about 1500 or less than 1500, and having a capacity that is at orabout 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity of R32. Based on thesedesired properties, a range of useful refrigerant compositions 361 isshown in matrix 360 of FIG. 11. As discussed above, a composition havingat or about 80 wt % or less than 80 wt % of R1123 may be stable as thecomposition contains a large enough amount of other refrigerants (e.g.,R125 and R32) to prevent the R1123 from decomposing. Accordingly, thisupper limit for the concentration of R1123 (e.g., at or about 80 wt % orless than 80 wt %) may be updated based on further testing. The usefulrefrigerant compositions 361 include less than 100 wt % and greater than0 wt % of R32; at or about 80 wt %, or less than 80 wt % and greaterthan 0 wt % of R1123; and at or about 47 wt %, or less than 47 wt % andgreater than 0 wt % of R125.

In an embodiment, the useful compositions 361 may include preferredcompositions 370 as shown in FIG. 11. The properties of the preferredcompositions 370 include being stable (e.g., with respect to thestability of R1123), a capacity at or about 90% or greater than 90% ofthe capacity of R32, and a GWP at or about 750 or less than 750. Thepreferred compositions 370 include less than 100 wt % and greater than 0wt % of R32; at or about 80 wt %, or less than 80 wt % and greater than0 wt % of R1123; and at or about 24 wt %, or less than 24 wt % andgreater than 0 wt % of R125.

In an embodiment, the preferred compositions 370 may includecompositions 370A as shown in FIG. 11. The compositions 370A may bedesired in an embodiment as they are stable (e.g., with respect to thestability of R1123), have a capacity greater than 100% of the capacityof R32, a GWP at or about 300 or less than 300, and a temperature glideof less than 0.5° F. The compositions 370A include from at or about 14wt % to at or about 44 wt % of R32; from at or about 56 wt % to at orabout 80 wt % of R1123; and at or about 7 wt %, or less than 7 wt % andgreater than 0 wt % of R125.

FIG. 11 also includes a shaded area 365. The compositions within theshaded area 365 have a ratio of R1123 to R32 (R1123:R32) by weight thatis from at or about 60:40 to at or about 40:60. In an embodiment,compositions having a ratio of R1123 to R32 that is from about 60:40 toabout 40:60 have higher stability. In some embodiments, a set of desiredproperties may include higher stability. In such embodiments, desiredcompositions may be selected from the compositions shown in FIG. 11(e.g., useful compositions 361, preferred compositions 370, and/orcompositions 370A) and described with respect to FIG. 11 so as toinclude those compositions also within the shaded area 365.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the GWP being equal or lessthan 1500 may be different. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWPof at or about 1000 or less than 1000 may be desired. In an embodiment,a composition having a GWP of at or about 675 or less than 675 may bedesired. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 600or less than 600 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition havinga GWP of at or about 500 or less than 500 may be desired. In anembodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 400 or less than400 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP of ator about 200 or less than 200 may be desired. In such embodiments,desired compositions may be selected from the compositions shown in FIG.11 (e.g., useful compositions 361, preferred compositions 370, and/orcompositions 370A) and described with respect to FIG. 11 to includethose compositions with the desired GWP.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the capacity being at or about85% or greater than 85% of the capacity of R32 may be different. In anembodiment, a composition having a capacity at or about 95% or greaterthan 95% of the capacity of R32 may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a capacity at or about the capacity of R32 or greaterthan the capacity of R32 may be desired. In an embodiment, a compositionhaving a capacity at or about 95% of the capacity or R32 to at or about105% of the capacity or R32 may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a capacity at or about the capacity of R32 to at orabout 105% of the capacity or R32 may be desired. In such embodiments,desired compositions may be selected from the compositions shown in FIG.11 (e.g., useful compositions 361 and/or preferred compositions 370) anddescribed with respect to FIG. 11 to include those compositions with thedesired capacity.

In an embodiment, the set of desired properties may include a specifictemperature glide. In an embodiment, a composition having a temperatureglide at or about 1.0° F. or less than 1.0° F. may be desired. In anembodiment, a composition having a temperature glide at or about 0.5° F.or less than 0.5° F. may be desired. In such embodiments, desiredcompositions may be selected from the compositions shown in FIG. 11(e.g., useful compositions 361 and/or preferred compositions 370) anddescribed with respect to FIG. 11 to include those compositions with thedesired temperature glide.

In an embodiment, a desired set of properties of a refrigerantcomposition includes being nonflammable and having a capacity that is ator about 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity of R32. Based on thesedesired properties, a range of useful refrigerant compositions 381 isshown in matrix 380 of FIG. 12. The useful refrigerant compositions 381include at or about 48 wt %, or less than 48 wt % and greater than 0 wt% of R32; from at or about 15 wt % to at or about 55 wt % of R1123; andfrom at or about 30 wt % to at or about 47 wt % of R125.

In an embodiment, the useful compositions 381 may include preferredcompositions 390 as shown in FIG. 12. The preferred compositions 390 maybe desirable in an embodiment as they have a capacity at or about 95% orgreater than 95% of the capacity of R32, a GWP at or about 1500 or lessthan 1500, and a temperature glide at or about 1.0° F. or less than 1.0°F. The preferred compositions 390 include from at or about 37 wt % to ator about 48 wt % of R32, from at or about 15 wt % to at or about 33 wt %of R1123, and from at or about 30 wt % to at or about 39 wt % of R125.

FIG. 12 also includes a shaded area 385. The compositions within theshaded area 385 have a ratio of R1123 to R32 (R1123:R32) by weight thatis from at or about 60:40 to at or about 40:60. In an embodiment,compositions having a ratio of R1123 to R32 that is from about 60:40 toabout 40:60 provide higher stability. In some embodiments, a set ofdesired properties may include higher stability. In such embodiments,desired compositions may be selected from the compositions shown in FIG.12 (e.g., useful compositions 381 and/or preferred compositions 390) anddescribed with respect to FIG. 12 so as to include those compositionsalso within the shaded area 385.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the capacity at or about 85%or greater than 85% of the capacity of R32 may be different. In anembodiment, a composition having a capacity at or about 95% or greaterthan 95% of the capacity of R32 may be desired. In such embodiments,desired compositions may be selected from the compositions shown in FIG.12 (e.g., useful compositions 381) and described with respect to FIG. 12to include those compositions with the desired capacity.

Each of FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrates a matrix 400, 410, of athermodynamic property for compositions of R1123, R32, and R125 byweight percentage. Accordingly, in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the axes of R125are horizontal and parallel to the side for R32, the axes for R32 areparallel to the side for R1123, and the axes for R1123 are parallel tothe side for R125. Each matrix 400, 410 includes values at each 10 wt %of R1123, R32, and CF₃I. Compositions in each matrix 400, 410 arecalculated in a similar manner as previously discussed regarding matrix200 in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 13A illustrates a matrix 400 of coefficients of performancerelative to R410A (e.g., a coefficient of performance of a compositionminus the coefficient of performance for R410A divided by thecoefficient of performance for R410A) for compositions of R1123, R32,and R125. FIG. 13B illustrates a matrix 210 of compressor dischargetemperatures in Fahrenheit relative to R410A (e.g., compressor dischargetemperatures of a composition minus the compressor discharge temperaturefor R410A) for compositions of R1123, R32, and R125. Each matrix 400,410, also specifies a range of compositions 405, 415. The compositionswithin the ranges 405, 415 have a ratio of R1123 to R32 (R1123:R32) byweight that is from at or about 60:40 to at or about 40:60. As shown byFIG. 13A, the thermodynamic efficiency increases as the amount of R32 ina composition increases, and the amount of R1123 in the compositiondecreases. As shown by FIG. 13A, the compositions within the range 405have thermodynamic efficiencies that are from about 98% to about 95% ofthe thermodynamic efficiency of R410A. As shown by FIG. 13B,compositions in the range 415 result in a change in the compressordischarge temperature (relative to R410A) of at or about −30° F. to ator about 18° F. However, in the lower portion of the range 415, thecompositions result in a change in the compressor discharge temperatureof at or about −2° F. to at or about 18° F. This range is higher thanmay be produced when using R452B (another proposed alternative toR410A), but is less than at or about 30° F. that occurs produced by R32alone.

Performance of a refrigerant composition may be based on one or more ofa coefficient of performance and compressor discharge temperature. In anembodiment, the desired set of properties includes one or more of acoefficient of performance and compressor discharge temperature. In anembodiment, the set of desired properties result in the refrigerantcomposition performing in a comparable manner to R410A. In anembodiment, the set of desired properties result in the refrigerantcomposition performing in a comparable manner to a R32.

In an embodiment, a composition that has a coefficient of performance ofgreater than 97% relative to R410A or R32 may be preferred. In anembodiment, a composition that results in a change in the compressordischarge temperature relative to R410A or R32 that is at or about 32°F. or less than 32° F. may be desired. In an embodiment, a compositionthat results in a change in the compressor discharge temperaturerelative to R410A or R32 that is at or about 20° F. or less than 20° F.may be preferred. For values relative to R32, the matrices 400 and 410may be modified based on the values for R410 and R32 in Tables 2 and 3to approximate values relative to R32. In such embodiments, one or moreof FIGS. 13A and 13B may be utilized to select compositions having adesired coefficient of performance and/or compressor dischargetemperature. For example, desired compositions may be selected from thecompositions shown in and/or described with respect to one or more ofthe FIGS. 8-12 to have a desired coefficient of performance and/orcompressor discharge temperature by utilizing one or more of FIGS. 13Aand 13B.

In an embodiment, a method of making a refrigerant composition and/or amethod of retrofitting a refrigerant composition utilizes one or more ofthe matrices of FIGS. 8-13B so that the resulting refrigerantcomposition or retrofitted refrigerant composition has the desired setof properties.

Compositions Including R32, R1123, R125, and CF₃I

FIG. 14 illustrates a matrix 500 that was developed to show plots ofGWP, flammability, temperature glide, capacity relative to R410A, andcapacity relative to R32 as a function of the concentration of R125, amixture 80 wt % R32 and 20 wt % of R1123, and CF₃I. The sides 501, 502,503 of the triangle corresponds to weight percentages of R125, themixture of 80 wt % R32 and 20 wt % of R1123, and CF₃I, respectively. Thevertices 504, 505, 506 of the triangle correspond to 100 wt % R125, 80wt % R32 and 20 wt % R1123, and 100 wt % CF₃I, respectively.

FIG. 15 illustrates a matrix 600 that was developed to show plots ofGWP, flammability, temperature glide, capacity relative to R410A, andcapacity relative to R32 as a function of the concentration of R125, amixture of 50 wt % R32 and 50 wt % of R1123, and CF₃I. The sides 601,602, 603 of the triangle correspond to weight percentages of R125, themixture of 50 wt % R32 and 50 wt % of R1123, and CF₃I, respectively. Thevertices 604, 605, 606 of the triangle correspond to 100 wt % R125, 50wt % R32 and 50 wt % R1123, and 100 wt % CF₃I, respectively.

FIG. 16 illustrates a matrix 700 that was developed to show plots ofGWP, flammability, temperature glide, capacity relative to R410A, andcapacity relative to R32 as a function of the concentration of R125, amixture of 20 wt % R32 and 80 wt % of R1123, and CF₃I. The sides 701,702, 703 of the triangle correspond to weight percentages of R125, themixture of 20 wt % R32 and 80 wt % of R1123, and CF₃I, respectively. Thevertices 704, 705, 706 of the triangle correspond to 100 wt % R125, themixture of 20 wt % R32 and 80 wt % R1123, and 100 wt % CF₃I,respectively.

Properties (e.g., GWP, flammability, temperature glide, capacityrelative to R410A or R32) of a refrigerant composition with a weightpercent of R125, R1123, R32, and CF₃I can be estimated by interpolatingthe matrix 500 in FIG. 14, the matrix 600 in FIG. 15, and the matrix 700in FIG. 16. Alternatively, a matrix similar to the matrices 500, 600,700 in FIGS. 14-16 can be calculated in the same manner as discussedabove for ratios of R1123 and R32 that are between 50:50 and 80:20 andbetween 50:50 and 20:80. The upper limit of 80 wt % was selected forR1123 as R1123 may decompose when a composition contains greater than 80wt % R1123. Accordingly, the upper limit for R1123 (e.g., at or about80%) may be updated based on further testing. The upper limit of at orabout 80% of R32 was selected as greater amounts of R32 result incompositions with higher GWPs.

Properties of the compositions for each matrix 500, 600, 700 wereestimated using a thermodynamic model. In FIGS. 14-16, the boundarybetween flammable and non-flammable compositions is shown by the largedashed line that extends from the bottom side 502, 602, 702 to the rightside 501, 601, 701 of the triangle. The flammable compositions are tothe right of the boundary. The boundary is based on the flammabilitycharacteristics of R1123, R32, CF₃I, R410A, and R125, and the flamesuppressant properties of CF₃I. GWP is based on the GWP of theindividual components and the method described in ASHRAE Standard 34 forcalculating the GWP of refrigerant blends. The flammability boundary isestimated based on characteristics of the individual components andvarious binary mixtures of the components. The flammability line wasestimated based on the ratio of R32 to R1123 being 50:50 in acomposition, while the amounts of R125 and CF₃I in the composition werevaried. Accordingly, the amount of each refrigerant in a compositionalong the flammability boundary may, for example, vary by up to about 5percent in an embodiment. It should be appreciated the compositions andranges shown and/or described may be updated based on further testing toconfirm the location of the flammability boundary.

Each of FIGS. 17 and 20 illustrates a matrix 510, 550 based on matrix500 of FIG. 14 and that has the same sides and vertices as the matrix500. Matrix 510 of FIG. 17 is the same as matrix 500, except that thematrix 510 does not have the lines for capacities relative to R32 andillustrates ranges of refrigerant compositions that may be desired inparticular embodiments. Matrix 550 of FIG. 20 is the same as matrix 500of FIG. 14, except that the matrix 550 does not have the lines forcapacities relative to R32 and illustrates ranges of refrigerantcompositions that may be desired in particular embodiments.

Each of FIGS. 18 and 21 illustrates a matrix 610, 650 based on matrix600 of FIG. 15 and has the same sides and vertices as matrix 600. Matrix610 of FIG. 18 is the same as matrix 600, except that the matrix 610does not have the lines for capacities relative to R32 and illustratesranges of refrigerant compositions that may be desired in particularembodiments. Matrix 650 of FIG. 21 is the same as matrix 600, exceptthat the matrix 650 does not have the lines for capacities relative toR410A and illustrates ranges of refrigerant compositions that may bedesired in particular embodiments.

Each of FIGS. 19 and 22 illustrates a matrix 710, 750 based on matrix700 of FIG. 16 and has the same sides and vertices as matrix 700. Matrix710 of FIG. 19 is the same as matrix 700, except that the matrix 710does not have the lines for capacities relative to R32 and illustratesranges of refrigerant compositions that may be desired in particularembodiments. Matrix 750 of FIG. 22 is the same as matrix 700, exceptthat the matrix 750 does not have the lines for capacities relative toR410A and illustrates ranges of refrigerant compositions that may bedesired in particular embodiments.

One or more of the matrices 510, 550, 610, 650, 710, 750 can be used todetermine composition(s) of R32, R1123, R125 and CF₃I with a desired setof properties. For example, matrices 510, 610, 710 in FIGS. 17-19 may beused together to determine compositions having properties comparable toR410. For example, matrices 550, 650, 750 in FIGS. 20-22 may be usedtogether to determine compositions having properties comparable to R32.Alternatively, a matrix similar to matrices 500, 600, 700, may becalculated in the same manner as discussed above for ratios of R32 toR1123 (R32:R1123) that are between 20:80 and 80:20 (other than 50:50).The upper limit of 80 wt % was selected for R1123 as R1123 may decomposewhen a composition contains greater than at or about 80 wt % R1123.Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the upper limit for R1123(e.g., at or about 80 wt %) may be updated based on further testing. Theupper limit of at or about 80% of R32 was selected as greater amounts ofR32 result in compositions with higher GWPs.

In an embodiment, a desired set of properties of a refrigerantcomposition includes being stable (e.g., stable relative to R1123), acapacity that is in a range from at or about 85% to at or about 110% ofthe capacity of R410A, and has a temperature glide that is at or about15° F. or less than 15° F. Based on these desired properties, a range ofuseful refrigerant compositions 520 is shown in matrix 510 of FIG. 17, arange of useful refrigerant compositions 620 is shown in matrix 610 ofFIG. 18, and a range of useful refrigerant compositions 720 is shown inmatrix 710 of FIG. 19.

The useful refrigerant compositions 520 in FIG. 17 include from at orabout 18 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×22 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 72 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×90 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 4 wt % (20 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×22 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 18 wt% (20 wt % of R1123 in mixture×90 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 44 wt %, or less than 44 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R125; and at or about 62 wt %, or less than 62 wt % and greater than0 wt % of CF₃I.

The useful refrigerant compositions 620 in FIG. 18 include from at orabout 12 wt % (50 wt % of R32 in mixture×24 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 42 wt % (50 wt % of R32 in mixture×84 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 12 wt % (50 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×24 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 42 wt% (50 wt % of R1123 in mixture×84 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 45 wt %, or less than 45 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R125; and at or about 52 wt %, or less than 52 wt % and greater than0 wt % of CF₃I.

The useful refrigerant compositions 720 in FIG. 19 include from at orabout 6 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×29 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 18 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×90 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 23 wt % (80 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×29 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 72 wt% (80 wt % of R1123 in mixture×90 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 46 wt %, or less than 46 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R125; and at or about 41 wt %, or less than 41 wt % and greater than0 wt % of CF₃I.

As discussed above, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123 fromabout 80:20 to about 20:80 may be desired as these compositions arestable with respect to R1123 and have lower GWPs. Accordingly, a rangeof useful refrigerant compositions may be interpolated from the usefulrefrigerant compositions 520, 620, 720 in FIGS. 17-19. Based on each ofthe useful refrigerant compositions 520, 620, 720, useful refrigerantcompositions may include from at or about 6 wt % to at or about 72 wt %of R32; from at or about 4 wt % to at or about 72 wt % of R1123; at orabout 45 wt %, or less than 45 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R125; andat or about 62 wt %, or less than about 62 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of CF₃I.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from at or about 80:20 to at or about 50:50 may be desired.In such an embodiment, useful refrigerant compositions may be determinedbased on the useful refrigerant compositions 510 in FIG. 17 and theuseful refrigerant compositions 510 in FIG. 18.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from at or about 50:50 to at or about 20:80 may be desired.In such an embodiment, useful refrigerant compositions may be determinedbased on the useful refrigerant compositions 610 in FIG. 18 and theuseful refrigerant compositions 710 in FIG. 19.

In an embodiment, compositions having a ratio of R1123 to R32 that isfrom at or about 60:40 to at or about 40:60 provide higher stability. Insome embodiments, a set of desired properties may include higherstability. In such an embodiment, desired compositions may be selectedbased on the useful refrigerant compositions 510, 710 in FIGS. 17 and 19so as to include those compositions with the desired ratio of R1123 toR32 of at or about 60:40 to at or about 40:60.

As shown in FIGS. 17-19, useful compositions 520 may include preferredcompositions 530, useful compositions 620 may include preferredcompositions 630, and useful compositions 720 may include preferredcompositions 730. The preferred compositions 530, 630, 730, may bedesirable in an embodiment as they are stable (e.g., stable relative toR1123), have a capacity at or about 85% or greater than 85% of thecapacity or R410A, have a temperature glide less than 15° F., and arenonflammable.

The preferred refrigerant compositions 530 in FIG. 17 include from at orabout 18 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×22 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 44 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×55 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 4 wt % (20 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×22 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 11 wt% (20 wt % of R1123 in mixture×55 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 44 wt %, or less than 44 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R125; and at or about 7 wt % to at or about 62 wt % of CF₃I.

The preferred refrigerant compositions 630 in FIG. 18 include from at orabout 12 wt % (50 wt % of R32 in mixture×24 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 28 wt % (50 wt % of R32 in mixture×55 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 12 wt % (50 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×24 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 28 wt% (50 wt % of R1123 in mixture×55 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 45 wt %, or less than 45 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R125; and at or about 5 wt % to about or about 52 wt % of CF₃I.

The preferred refrigerant compositions 730 in FIG. 19 include from at orabout 6 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×29 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 11 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×55 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 23 wt % (80 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×29 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 44 wt% (80 wt % of R1123 in mixture×55 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 6 wt % to at or about 44 wt % of R125; and at orabout 41 wt %, or less than 41 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of CF₃I.

As discussed above, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123 fromabout 80:20 to about 20:80 may be desired as these compositions arestable with respect to R1123 and have lower GWPs. Accordingly, a rangeof preferred refrigerant compositions may be interpolated from thepreferred refrigerant compositions 530, 630, 730 in FIGS. 17-19. Basedon each of the preferred refrigerant compositions 530, 630, 730, usefulrefrigerant compositions may include from at or about 6 wt % to at orabout 44 wt % of R32; from at or about 4 wt % to at or about 44 wt % ofR1123; at or about 45 wt %, or less than 45 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R125; and at or about 62 wt %, or less than about 62 wt % and greaterthan 0 wt % of CF₃I. Of the useful compositions 520, 620, 720,compositions within the shaded areas 535, 635, and 735 in FIGS. 17-19may be preferred as they have a GWP of at or about 750 or less than 750.In an embodiment, a range of desired compositions may be determinedbased on the shaded areas 535, 635, and 735 in FIGS. 17-19.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the GWP being at or about 1500or less than 1500 or at or about 750 or less than 750 may be different.In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 1000 or lessthan 1000 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWPof at or about 675 or less than 675 may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a GWP of at or about 600 or less than 600 may bedesired. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 500or less than 500 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition havinga GWP of at or about 400 or less than 400 may be desired. In anembodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 200 or less than200 may be desired. In such embodiments, desired compositions may beselected from the useful compositions, preferred compositions, and otherspecific compositions shown in FIGS. 17-19 and described with respect toFIGS. 17-19 so as to include those compositions with the desired GWP.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the capacity in the range ofat or about 85% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R410A may bedifferent. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 85% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R410Amay be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 85% to at or about 105% of the capacity of R410Amay be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 85% to at or about 100% of the capacity of R410Amay be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 85% to at or about 105% of the capacity of R410Amay be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 90% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R410Amay be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 90% to at or about 105% of the capacity of R410Amay be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 90% to at or about 100% of the capacity of R410Amay be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 90% to at or about 100% of the capacity of R410Amay be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 95% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R410Amay be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 95% to at or about 105% of the capacity of R410Amay be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 100% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R410Amay be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 100% to at or about 105% of the capacity of R410Amay be desired. In such embodiments, desired compositions may beselected from the useful compositions, preferred compositions, and otherspecific compositions shown in FIGS. 17-19 and described with respect toFIGS. 17-19 so as to include those compositions with the desiredcapacity.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the temperature glide being ator about 15° F. or less than 15° F. may be different. In an embodiment,a composition having a temperature glide at or about 12° F. or less than12° F. may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having atemperature glide at or about 10° F. or less than 10° F. may be desired.In an embodiment, a composition having a temperature glide at or about5° F. or less than 5° F. may be desired. In such embodiments, desiredcompositions may be selected from the useful compositions, preferredcompositions, and other specific compositions shown in FIGS. 17-19 anddescribed with respect to FIGS. 17-19 so as to include thosecompositions with the desired temperature glide.

In an embodiment, a desired set of properties of a refrigerantcomposition includes being stable (e.g., with respect to R1123), acapacity that is at or about 85% or greater than 85% of the capacity ofR32, and a temperature glide that is at or about 15° F. or less than 15°F. Based on these desired properties, a range of useful refrigerantcompositions 560 is shown in matrix 550 of FIG. 20, a range of usefulrefrigerant compositions 660 is shown in matrix 650 of FIG. 21, and arange of useful refrigerant compositions 760 is shown in matrix 750 ofFIG. 22.

The useful refrigerant compositions 560 in FIG. 20 include from at orabout 25 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×31 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 80 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×100 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 6 wt % (20 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×31 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 20 wt% (20 wt % of R1123 in mixture×100 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 42 wt %, or less than 42 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R125; and at or about 54 wt %, or less than about 54 wt % and greaterthan 0 wt % of CF₃I.

The useful refrigerant compositions 660 in FIG. 21 include from at orabout 17 wt % (50 wt % of R32 in mixture×34 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 50 wt % (50 wt % of R32 in mixture×100 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 17 wt % (50 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×34 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 50 wt% (50 wt % of R1123 in mixture×100 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 44 wt %, or less than 44 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R125; and at or about 47 wt %, or less than 47 wt % and greater than0 wt % of CF₃I.

The useful refrigerant compositions 760 in FIG. 22 include from at orabout 8 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×39 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 20 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×100 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 23 wt % (80 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×39 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 80 wt% (80 wt % of R1123 in mixture×100 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 46 wt %, or less than 46 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R125; and at or about 39 wt %, or less than about 39 wt % and greaterthan 0 wt % of CF₃I.

As discussed above, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123 fromabout 80:20 to about 20:80 may be desired as this combination provides acomposition that is stable and provides compositions with lower GWPs.Accordingly, a range of useful refrigerant compositions may beinterpolated from the useful refrigerant compositions 560 shown in FIG.20 and useful refrigerant compositions 760 shown in FIG. 21. Based oneach of the useful refrigerant compositions 560, 660, 760, usefulrefrigerant compositions may include from at or about 8 wt % to at orabout 80 wt % of R32; from at or about 6 wt % to at or about 80 wt % ofR1123; at or about 46 wt %, or less than 46% R125 and greater than 0% ofR125; and at or about 54 wt %, or less than 54 wt % and greater than 0wt % of CF₃I.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123 fromabout 80:20 to about 20:80 may be desired as these compositions arestable with respect to R1123 and have lower GWPs. In such an embodiment,useful refrigerant compositions may be determined based on the usefulrefrigerant compositions 560 in FIG. 20 and the useful refrigerantcompositions 660 in FIG. 21. In an embodiment, a composition having aratio of R32 to R1123 (R32:R1123) from about 50:50 to about 20:80 may bedesired. In such an embodiment, useful refrigerant compositions may bedetermined based on the useful refrigerant compositions 660 in FIG. 21and the useful refrigerant compositions 760 in FIG. 22.

In an embodiment, compositions having a ratio of R1123 to R32 that isfrom about 60:40 to about 40:60 provide higher stability. In someembodiments, a set of desired properties may include higher stability.In such an embodiment, desired compositions may be selected based on theuseful refrigerant compositions 560, 760 in FIGS. 20 and 22 so as toinclude those compositions with the desired ratio of R1123 to R32 of60:40 to 40:60.

As shown in FIGS. 20-22, useful compositions 560 may include preferredcompositions 570, useful compositions 660 may include preferredcompositions 670, and useful compositions 760 may include preferredcompositions 770. The preferred compositions 570, 670, 770, may bedesirable in an embodiment as they are stable (e.g., stable relative toR1123), have a capacity at or about 85% or greater than 85% and lessthan 100% of the capacity of R410A, have a temperature glide less than15° F., and are nonflammable.

The preferred refrigerant compositions 570 in FIG. 20 include from at orabout 25 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×31 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 44 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×55 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 6 wt % (20 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×31 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 11 wt% (20 wt % of R1123 in mixture×55 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 44 wt %, or less than 44 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R125; and from at or about 7 wt % to at or about 54 wt % of CF₃I.

The preferred refrigerant compositions 670 in FIG. 21 include from at orabout 17 wt % (50 wt % of R32 in mixture×34 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 28 wt % (50 wt % of R32 in mixture×55 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 17 wt % (50 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×34 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 28 wt% (50 wt % of R1123 in mixture×55 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 44 wt %, or less than 44 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R125; and at or about 5 wt % to about or about 47 wt % of CF₃I.

The preferred refrigerant compositions 770 in FIG. 22 include from at orabout 8 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×39 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 11 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×55 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 31 wt % (80 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×39 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 44 wt% (80 wt % of R1123 in mixture×55 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; from at or about 10 wt % to at or about 46 wt % of R125; and ator about 35 wt %, or less than 35 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of CF₃I.

As discussed above, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123 fromabout 80:20 to about 20:80 may be desired as these compositions arestable with respect to R1123 and have lower GWPs. Accordingly, a rangeof preferred refrigerant compositions may be interpolated from thepreferred refrigerant compositions 570, 670, 770 in FIGS. 20-22. Basedon each of the preferred refrigerant compositions 570, 670, 770, usefulrefrigerant compositions may include from at or about 8 wt % to at orabout 44 wt % of R32; from at or about 6 wt % to at or about 44 wt % ofR1123; at or about 46 wt %, or less than 46 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R125; and at or about 54 wt %, or less than about 54 wt % and greaterthan 0 wt % of CF₃I.

Of the useful compositions 560, 660, 760, compositions within the shadedareas 575, 675, and 775 in FIGS. 20-22 may be preferred as they have aGWP of at or about 750 or less than 750. In an embodiment, desiredcompositions may be selected form the useful compositions, preferredcompositions, and other specific compositions in FIGS. 20-22 anddescribed with respect to FIGS. 20-22 based on the shaded areas 575,675, and 775 in FIGS. 20-22.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the GWP being at or about 1500or less than 1500 or at or about 750 or less than 750 may be different.In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 1000 or lessthan 1000 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWPof at or about 675 or less than 675 may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a GWP of at or about 600 or less than 600 may bedesired. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 500or less than 500 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition havinga GWP of at or about 400 or less than 400 may be desired. In anembodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 200 or less than200 may be desired. In such embodiments, desired compositions may beselected from the useful compositions, preferred compositions, and otherspecific compositions shown in FIGS. 20-22 and described with respect toFIGS. 20-22 to include those compositions with the desired GWP.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the capacity being at or about85% or greater than 85% of the capacity of R32 may be different. In anembodiment, a composition having a capacity in the range of at or about85% to at or about 105% of the capacity of R32 may be desired. In anembodiment, a composition having a capacity at or about 90% or greaterthan 90% of the capacity of R32 may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a capacity in the range of at or about 90% to at orabout 105% of the capacity of R32 may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a capacity in the range of at or about 90% to at orabout 100% of the capacity of R32 may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a capacity at or about 95% or greater than 95% of thecapacity of R32 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having acapacity in the range of at or about 95% to at or about 105% of thecapacity of R32 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having acapacity in the range of at or about 95% to at or about 100% of thecapacity of R32 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having acapacity at or about the capacity of R32 or greater than the capacity ofR32 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity inthe range of at or about 100% to at or about 105% of the capacity of R32may be desired. In such embodiments, desired compositions may beselected from the useful compositions, preferred compositions, and otherspecific compositions shown in FIGS. 20-22 and described with respect toFIGS. 20-22 to include those compositions with the desired capacity.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the temperature glide being ator about 15° F. or less than 15° F. may be different. In an embodiment,a composition having a temperature glide at or about 12° F. or less than12° F. may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having atemperature glide at or about 10° F. or less than 10° F. may be desired.In an embodiment, a composition having a temperature glide at or about5° F. or less than 5° F. may be desired. In such embodiments, desiredcompositions may be selected from the useful compositions, preferredcompositions, and other specific compositions shown in FIGS. 20-22 anddescribed with respect to FIGS. 20-22 to include those compositions withthe desired temperature glide.

Each of FIGS. 23A-25B illustrates a matrix 590, 592, 690, 692, 790, 792of a thermodynamic property for compositions of R1123, R32, R125, andCF₃I by weight percentage. In FIGS. 23A-25B, axes for R125 arehorizontal and parallel to the side for the weight percentage of amixture of R1123 and R32, axes for CF₃I are parallel to the side forR125, and axes for the mixture of R1123 and 80 R32 are parallel to theside for CF₃I. In FIGS. 23A and 23B, the bottom side of the matrix 590,592 is for weight percentages of a mixture of 80 wt % of R32 and 20 wt %of R1123. In FIGS. 24A and 24B, the bottom side of matrix 690, 692 isfor weight percentages of a mixture of 50 wt % of R32 and 50 wt % ofR1123. In FIGS. 24A and 24B, the bottom side of the matrix 790, 792 isfor weight percentages of a mixture of 20 wt % of R32 and 80 wt % ofR1123. Each matrix 590, 592, 690, 692, 790, 792 shows values at each 10wt % of R125, CF₃I, and the mixture of R32 and R1123. Compositions ineach matrix 590, 592, 690, 692, 790, 792 are calculated in a similarmanner as discussed regarding matrix 200 in FIG. 7A.

FIGS. 23A, 24A, and 25A each illustrate a matrix 590, 690, 790 ofcoefficients of performance relative to R410A (e.g., for compositions ofR125, CF₃I, and a mixture of R32 and R1123. FIGS. 23B, 24B, 25B eachillustrate a matrix 592, 692, 792 of compressor discharge temperaturesin Fahrenheit (relative to R410A) for compositions of R125, CF₃I, and amixture of R32 and R1123.

Performance of a refrigerant composition may be based on one or more ofa coefficient of performance and compressor discharge temperature. In anembodiment, the desired set of properties may include one or more of acoefficient of performance and compressor discharge temperature. In anembodiment, a composition that has a coefficient of performance ofgreater than 97% relative to R410A may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition that results in a change in the compressor dischargetemperature, relative to R410A, that is at or about 32° F. or less than32° F. may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition that results in achange in the compressor discharge temperature, relative to R410A, thatis at or about 20° F. or less than 20° F. may be desired. For valuesrelative to R32, the matrices in FIGS. 23A-25 may be modified based onthe values for R410 and R32 in Tables 2 and 3 to approximate valuesrelative to R32. In such embodiments, one or more of FIGS. 23A-25B maybe utilized to select compositions having a desired coefficient ofperformance and/or compressor discharge temperature. For example,desired compositions may be selected from the compositions shown inand/or described with respect to one or more of the FIGS. 17-22 to havea desired coefficient of performance and/or compressor dischargetemperature by utilizing one or more of FIGS. 23A-25B.

In an embodiment, a method of making a refrigerant composition and/or amethod of retrofitting a refrigerant composition utilizes one or more ofthe matrices of FIGS. 17-25B so that the resulting refrigerantcomposition or retrofitted refrigerant composition has the desired setof properties.

Compositions Including R125, R1234yf, R32, and R1123

FIG. 26 illustrates a matrix 1000 that was developed to show plots ofGWP, flammability, temperature glide, capacity relative to R410A,capacity relative to R32, and capacity relative to R22 as a function ofthe concentration of R125, a mixture of 20 wt % R1123 and 80 wt % ofR32, and R1234yf. The sides 1001, 1002, 1003 of the triangle correspondto weight percentages of R125, the mixture of 20 wt % R1123 and 80 wt %of R32, and R1234yf, respectively. The vertices 1004, 1005, 1006 of thetriangle correspond to 100 wt % R125, 20 wt % R1123 and 80 wt % R32, and100 wt % R1234yf, respectively.

FIG. 27 illustrates a matrix 1100 that was developed to show plots ofGWP, flammability, temperature glide, capacity relative to R410A,capacity relative to R32, and capacity relative to R22 as a function ofthe concentration of R125, a mixture of 40 wt % R1123 and 60 wt % ofR32, and R1234yf. The sides 1101, 1102, 1103 of the triangle correspondsto weight percentages of R125, the mixture of 40 wt % R1123 and 60 wt %of R32, and R1234yf, respectively. The vertices 1104, 1105, 1106 of thetriangle correspond to 100 wt % R125, 40 wt % R1123 and 60 wt % R32, and100 wt % R1234yf, respectively.

FIG. 28 illustrates a matrix 1200 that was developed to show plots ofGWP, flammability, temperature glide, capacity relative to R410A,capacity relative to R32, and capacity relative to R22 as a function ofthe concentration of R125, a mixture of 60 wt % R1123 and 40 wt % ofR32, and R1234yf. The sides 1201, 1202, 1203 of the triangle correspondto weight percentages of R125, the mixture of 60 wt % R1123 and 40 wt %of R32, and R1234yf, respectively. The vertices 1204, 1205, 1206 of thetriangle correspond to 100 wt % R125, 60 wt % R1123 and 40 wt % R32, and100 wt % R1234yf, respectively.

FIG. 29 illustrates a matrix 1300 that was developed to show plots ofGWP, flammability, temperature glide, capacity relative to R410A,capacity relative to R32, and capacity relative to R22 as a function ofthe concentration of R125, a mixture of 80 wt % R1123 and 20 wt % ofR32, and R1234yf. The sides 1301, 1302, 1303 of the triangle correspondsto weight percentages of R125, the mixture of 80 wt % R1123 and 20 wt %of R32, and R1234yf, respectively. The vertices 1304, 1305, 1306 of thetriangle correspond to 100 wt % R125, 80 wt % R1123 and 20 wt % R32, and100 wt % R1234yf, respectively.

Properties of the compositions for each matrix 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300were estimated using a thermodynamic model. The boundary betweenflammable and non-flammable compositions is shown by a large dashed linein each of FIGS. 26-29, which extends between the left and right sidesof the triangle. Flammable compositions are below the boundary. Theboundary is based on the flammability characteristics of R1123, R32,R1234yf, R410A, and R125. GWP is based on the GWP of the individualcomponents and the method described in ASHRAE Standard 34 forcalculating the GWP of refrigerant blends. The flammability boundary isestimated based on characteristics of the individual components andvarious binary mixtures of the components. Accordingly, the amount ofeach refrigerant in a composition along the flammability boundary may,for example, vary by up to about 5 percent in an embodiment. It shouldbe appreciated the compositions and ranges shown and/or described may beupdated based on further testing to confirm the location of theflammability boundary.

Each of FIGS. 30 and 34 illustrates a matrix 1010, 1050 based on matrix1000 of FIG. 26 and has the same sides and vertices as matrix 1000.Matrix 1010 of FIG. 30 is the same as matrix 1000, except that thematrix 1010 does not have the lines for capacities relative to R32 andillustrates ranges of refrigerant compositions that may be desired inparticular embodiments. Matrix 1050 of FIG. 34 is the same as matrix1000, except that the matrix 1050 does not have the lines for capacitiesrelative to R410A or R22 and illustrates ranges of refrigerantcompositions that may be desired in particular embodiments.

Each of FIGS. 31 and 35 illustrates a matrix 1110, 1150 based on matrix1100 of FIG. 27 and has the same sides and vertices as the matrix 1100.Matrix 1110 of FIG. 31 is the same as matrix 1100, except that thematrix 1110 does not have the lines for capacities relative to R32 andillustrates ranges of refrigerant compositions that may be desired inparticular embodiments. Matrix 1150 of FIG. 35 is the same as matrix1100 of FIG. 27, except that the matrix 1150 does not have the lines forcapacities relative to R410A or R22 and illustrates ranges ofrefrigerant compositions that may be desired in particular embodiments.

Each of FIGS. 32 and 36 illustrates a matrix 1210, 1250 based on matrix1200 of FIG. 28 and has the same sides and vertices as matrix 1200.Matrix 1210 of FIG. 32 is the same as matrix 1200, except that thematrix 1210 does not have the lines for capacities relative to R32 andillustrates ranges of refrigerant compositions that may be desired inparticular embodiments. Matrix 1250 of FIG. 36 is the same as matrix1200, except that the matrix 1250 does not have the lines for capacitiesrelative to R410A or R22 and illustrates ranges of refrigerantcompositions that may be desired in particular embodiments.

Each of FIGS. 33 and 37 illustrates a matrix 1310, 1350 based on matrix1300 of FIG. 29 and has the same sides and vertices as matrix 1300.Matrix 1310 of FIG. 33 is the same as matrix 1300, except that thematrix 1310 does not have the lines for capacities relative to R32 andillustrates ranges of refrigerant compositions that may be desired inparticular embodiments. Matrix 1350 of FIG. 37 is the same as matrix1300, except that the matrix 1350 does not have the lines for capacitiesrelative to R410A or R22 and illustrates ranges of refrigerantcompositions that may be desired in particular embodiments.

One or more of the matrices 1010, 1050, 1110, 1150, 1210, 1250, 1310,1350 can be used to determine composition(s) of R125, R1234yf, R1123,and R32 having one or more desired properties. For example, matrices1010, 1110, 1210, 1310 in FIGS. 30-33 may be used to determinecompositions having properties comparable to R410 or compositions withproperties comparable to R22, and matrices 1050, 1150, 1250, 1350 inFIGS. 34-37 may be used to determine compositions having propertiescomparable to R32. Alternatively, a matrix similar to matrices 1000,1100, 1200, 1300 may be calculated in the same manner as discussed abovefor ratios of R32 to R1123 (R32:R1123) that are between 20:80 and 80:20(other than 40:60 and 60:40). The upper limit of 80 wt % was selectedfor R1123 as R1123 may decompose when a composition contains greaterthan at or about 80 wt % R1123. Accordingly, it should be appreciatedthat the upper limit for R1123 (e.g., at or about 80 wt %) may beupdated based on further testing. The upper limit of at or about 80% ofR32 was selected as greater amounts of R32 result in compositions withhigher GWPs.

In an embodiment, a desired set of properties of a refrigerantcomposition includes being stable (e.g., regarding R1123), a capacitythat is in a range from at or about 85% to at or about 110% of thecapacity of R410A, and having a GWP of at or about 1500 or less than1500. Based on these desired properties, a range of useful refrigerantcompositions 1020 is shown in matrix 1010 of FIG. 30, a range of usefulrefrigerant compositions 1120 is shown in matrix 1110 of FIG. 31, arange of useful refrigerant compositions 1220 is shown in matrix 1210 ofFIG. 32, and a range of useful refrigerant compositions 1320 is shown inmatrix 1310 of FIG. 33. The useful refrigerant compositions 1020 in FIG.30 include from at or about 26 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×32 wt %of mixture in composition) to at or about 76 wt % (80 wt % of R32 inmixture×95 wt % of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 6 wt% (20 wt % of R1123 in mixture×32 wt % of mixture in composition) to ator about 19 wt % (20 wt % of R1123 in mixture×95 wt % of mixture incomposition) of R1123; at or about 42 wt %, or less than 42 wt % andgreater than 0 wt % of R125; and at or about 50 wt %, or less than 50 wt% and greater than 0 wt % of R1234yf.

The useful refrigerant compositions 1120 in FIG. 31 include from at orabout 19 wt % (60 wt % of R32 in mixture×31 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 52 wt % (60 wt % of R32 in mixture×87 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 12 wt % (40 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×31 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 35 wt% (40 wt % of R1123 in mixture×87 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 44 wt %, or less than 44 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R125; and at or about 53 wt %, or less than 53 wt % and greater than0 wt % of R1234yf.

The useful refrigerant compositions 1220 in FIG. 32 include from at orabout 12 wt % (40 wt % of R32 in mixture×31 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 34 wt % (40 wt % of R32 in mixture×85 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 19 wt % (60 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×31 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 51 wt% (60 wt % of R1123 in mixture×85 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 44 wt %, or less than 44 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R125; and at or about 52 wt %, or less than 52 wt % and greater than0 wt % of R1234yf.

The useful refrigerant compositions 1320 in FIG. 33 include from at orabout 6 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×31 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 17 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×86 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 25 wt % (80 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×31 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 69 wt% (80 wt % of R1123 in mixture×86 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 46 wt %, or less than 46 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R125; and at or about 51 wt %, or less than 51 wt % and greater than0 wt % of R1234yf.

As discussed above, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123 fromabout 80:20 to about 20:80 may be desired as these compositions arestable with respect to R1123 and have lower GWPs. Accordingly, a rangeof useful refrigerant compositions may be determined from the usefulrefrigerant compositions 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320 in FIGS. 30-33. Based oneach of the useful refrigerant compositions 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320,useful refrigerant compositions may include from at or about 6 wt % toat or about 76 wt % of R32; from at or about 6 wt % to at or about 69 wt% of R1123; at or about 46 wt %, or less than 46 wt % and greater than0% of R125; and at or about 53 wt %, or less than 53 wt % and greaterthan 0 wt % of R1234yf.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 40:60 to about 60:40 may be desired to provideadditional stability. In such an embodiment, useful refrigerantcompositions may be determined based on the useful refrigerantcompositions 1120 and 1220 in FIGS. 31 and 32.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 20:80 to about 60:40 may be desired to have alower amount of R1123 so as to provide additional stability. In such anembodiment, useful refrigerant compositions may be determined based onthe useful refrigerant compositions 1020, 1120, 1220 in FIGS. 30-32.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 40:60 to about 80:20 may be desired to provide alower GWP. In such an embodiment, useful refrigerant compositions may bedetermined based on the useful refrigerant compositions 1120, 1220, 1320in FIGS. 31-33.

As shown in FIGS. 30-33, useful compositions 1020 may include preferredcompositions 1022, useful compositions 1120 may include preferredcompositions 1122, useful compositions 1220 may include preferredcompositions 1222, and useful compositions 1320 may include preferredcompositions 1322 in an embodiment. The preferred compositions 1022,1122, 1222, 1322 may be desirable in an embodiment as they are stable(e.g., relative to R1123), have a capacity at or about 85% or greaterthan 85% and less than 110% of the capacity of R410A, have a GWP that isat or about 1500 or less than 1500, have a temperature glide less than10° F., and are nonflammable.

The preferred refrigerant compositions 1022 in FIG. 30 include from ator about 26 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×32 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 27 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×34 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 6 wt % (20 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×32 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 7 wt% (20 wt % of R1123 in mixture×34 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; from at or about 41 wt % to at or about 42 wt % of R125; and fromat or about 24 wt % to at or about 27 wt % of R1234yf. The preferredrefrigerant compositions 1122 in FIG. 31 include from at or about 19 wt% (60 wt % of R32 in mixture×31 wt % of mixture in composition) to at orabout 45 wt % (60 wt % of R32 in mixture×75 wt % of mixture incomposition) of R32; from at or about 12 wt % (40 wt % of R1123 inmixture×31 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 30 wt % (40 wt% of R1123 in mixture×75 wt % of mixture in composition) of R1123; fromat or about 25 wt % to at or about 44 wt % of R125; and at or about 36wt %, or less than 36 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R1234yf.

The preferred refrigerant compositions 1222 in FIG. 32 include from ator about 12 wt % (40 wt % of R32 in mixture×31 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 30 wt % (40 wt % of R32 in mixture×75 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 12 wt % (60 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×31 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 45 wt% (60 wt % of R1123 in mixture×75 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; from at or about 25 wt % to at or about 44 wt % of R125; and ator about 37 wt %, or less than 37 wt % and greater than 0 wt % ofR1234yf.

The preferred refrigerant compositions 1322 in FIG. 33 include from ator about 6 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×31 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 14 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×70 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 25 wt % (80 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×31 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 56 wt% (80 wt % of R1123 in mixture×70 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; from at or about 30 wt % to at or about 46 wt % of R125; and ator about 33 wt %, or less than 33 wt % and greater than 0 wt % ofR1234yf.

As discussed above, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123 fromabout 80:20 to about 20:80 may be desired as these compositions arestable with respect to R1123 and have lower GWPs. Accordingly, a rangeof preferred refrigerant compositions may be determined from thepreferred refrigerant compositions 1022, 1122, 1222, 1322 in FIGS.30-33. Based on each of the preferred refrigerant compositions 1022,1122, 1222, 1322, preferred refrigerant compositions may include from ator about 6 wt % to at or about 45 wt % of R32; from at or about 6 wt %to at or about 56 wt % of R1123; from at or about 25 wt % to at or about46 wt % of R125; and at or about 37 wt %, or less than 37 wt % andgreater than 0 wt % of R1234yf.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 40:60 to about 60:40 may be desired to provideadditional stability. In such an embodiment, preferred refrigerantcompositions may be determined based on the preferred refrigerantcompositions 1122 and 1222 in FIGS. 31 and 32.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 20:80 to about 60:40 may be desired to have alower amount of R1123 so as to provide additional stability. In such anembodiment, preferred refrigerant compositions may be determined basedon the preferred refrigerant compositions 1022, 1122, 1222 in FIGS.30-32.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 40:60 to about 80:20 may be desired to provide alower GWP. In such an embodiment, useful refrigerant compositions may bedetermined based on the preferred refrigerant compositions 1122, 1222,1322 in FIGS. 31-33.

Of the useful compositions 1020, 1120, 1230, 1320, compositions withinthe shaded areas 1030, 1130, 1230, 1330 in FIGS. 30-33 may be preferredas they have a GWP of at or about 750 or less than 750. In anembodiment, preferred compositions may be determined based on the shadedareas 1030, 1130, 1230, and 1330 in FIGS. 30-33.

Of the compositions in the shaded areas 1030, 1130, 1230, 1330,compositions 1035A and 1035B in FIG. 30, compositions 1135A and 1135 inFIG. 31, compositions 1235A and 1235B in FIG. 32, and compositions 1335Aand 1335B in FIG. 33 may be desired as they have a capacity that similarto R410A. Characteristics of these compositions (along with R32 andR452B for comparison) are provided below in Table 4 for reference.

TABLE 4 Performance Characteristics of Potential Alternatives to R410AComposition (percent by BV(est) Glide ΔCDT weight) CAP COP GWP (cm/s) (°Fd) (° Fd) R410A 1.000 1.000 1924 0 (non- 0.2 0 (reference) flam) R321.074 1.007 677 6.7 0 +30 R452B = 67% 0.973 1.011 675 3 2 +9 R32 + 7%R125 + 26% R1234yf 1135A = 63.5% 0.999 0.983 671 <1 4 +2 (R1123/R3240/60) + 13% R125 + 23.5% R1234yf 1130B = 69% 0.999 0.983 281 2.1 5 +4(R1123/R32 40/60) + 0% R125 + 31% R1234yf 1235A = 62.5% 1.000 0.968 677<1 4 −2 (R1123/R32 60/40) + 16% R125 + 21.5% R1234yf 1235B = 68.5% 0.9990.965 186 2.1 5 +1 (R1123/R32 60/40) + 0% R125 + 31.5% R1234yf 1235A =64% 1.002 0.952 674 1 3 −5 (R1123/R32 80/20) + 18.5% R125 + 17.5%R1234yf R1235B = 70.5% 1.001 0.945 96 3 4 −3 (R1123/R32 80/20) + 0%R125 + 29.5% R1234yf Tevap, sat = 50° F. w/20° F. SH Tcond, sat = 115°F. w/15° Fd SC ηcmpr = 0.7Performance estimated from thermodynamic properties at operatingconditions representative of a unitary air-conditioning equipmentrunning at the AHRI 210/240 “A” rating point.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 40:60 to about 60:40 may also be desired toprovide additional stability. In such an embodiment, preferredcompositions may be determined based on the compositions 1130 in FIG. 31and compositions 1330 in FIG. 32.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 20:80 to about 60:40 may also be desired to havea lower amount of R1123 so as to provide additional stability. In suchan embodiment, preferred compositions may be determined based on thecompositions 1030, 1130, and 1230 in FIGS. 30-33.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 40:60 to about 80:20 may be desired to provide alower GWP. In such an embodiment, preferred compositions may bedetermined based on compositions 1130, 1230, and 1330 in FIGS. 31-33.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the GWP being equal or lessthan 1500 may be different. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWPof at or about 1000 or less than 1000 may be desired. In an embodiment,a composition having a GWP of at or about 675 or less than 675 may bedesired. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 500or less than 500 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition havinga GWP of at or about 400 or less than 400 may be desired. In anembodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 200 or less than200 may be desired. In such embodiments, desired compositions may beselected from the useful compositions, preferred compositions, and otherspecific compositions shown in FIGS. 30-33 and described with respect toFIGS. 30-33 to include compositions with the desired GWP.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the capacity being in therange of at or about 85% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R410Amay be different. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity inthe range of at or about 90% to at or about 110% of the capacity ofR410A may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacityin the range of at or about 95% to at or about 110% of the capacity ofR410A may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacityin the range of at or about 95% to at or about 105% of the capacity ofR410A may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacityin the range of at or about 95% to at or about 110% of the capacity ofR410A may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacityin the range of at or about 100% to at or about 105% of the capacity ofR410A may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacityin the range of at or about 100% to at or about 110% of the capacity ofR410A may be desired. In such embodiments, desired compositions may beselected from the useful compositions, the preferred compositions, andthe other specific compositions shown in FIGS. 30-33 and described withrespect to FIGS. 30-33 so as to include those compositions with thedesired capacity.

In an embodiment, a desired set of properties of a refrigerantcomposition includes being stable (e.g., relative to R1123), a capacitythat in the range from at or about 85% to at or about 110% of thecapacity of R22, and a GWP of at or about 1500 or less than 1500. Basedon these desired properties, a range of useful refrigerant compositions1040 is shown in matrix 1010 of FIG. 30, a range of useful refrigerantcompositions 1140 is shown in matrix 1110 of FIG. 31, a range of usefulrefrigerant compositions 1240 is shown in matrix 1210 of FIG. 32, and arange of useful refrigerant compositions 1340 is shown in matrix 1310 ofFIG. 33.

The useful refrigerant compositions 1040 in FIG. 30 include from at orabout 1 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×1 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 29 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×36 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 0.2 wt % (20 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×1 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 7 wt %(20 wt % of R1123 in mixture×36 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 47 wt %, or less than 47 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R125; and from at or about 37 wt % to at or about 85 wt % of R1234yf.

The useful refrigerant compositions 1140 in FIG. 31 include at or about20 wt % (60 wt % of R32 in mixture×34 wt % of mixture in composition),or less than 20 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R32; at or about 14 wt %(40 wt % of R1123 in mixture×34 wt % of mixture in composition), or lessthan 14 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R1123; at or about 47 wt %, orless than 47 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R125; and from at or about36 wt % to at or about 86 wt % of R1234yf.

The useful refrigerant compositions 1240 in FIG. 32 include at or about13 wt % (40 wt % of R32 in mixture×33 wt % of mixture in composition),or less than 13 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R32; at or about 20 wt %(60 wt % of R32 in mixture×33 wt % of mixture in composition), or lessthan 20 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R1123; at or about 47 wt %, orless than 47 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R125; and from at or about37 wt % to at or about 87 wt % of R1234yf.

The useful refrigerant compositions 1340 in FIG. 33 include at or about7 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×33 wt % of mixture in composition), orless than 7 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R32; at or about 26 wt % (80wt % of R1123 in mixture×33 wt % of mixture in composition), or lessthan 26 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R1123; at or about 47 wt %, orless than 47 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R125; and from at or about35 wt % to at or about 85 wt % of R1234yf.

As discussed above, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 80:20 to about 20:80 may be desired as thesecompositions are stable with respect to R1123 and have lower GWPs.Accordingly, a range of useful refrigerant compositions may bedetermined from the useful refrigerant compositions 1040, 1140, 1240,1340 in FIGS. 30-33. Based on each of the useful refrigerantcompositions 1040, 1140, 1240, 1340, useful refrigerant compositions mayinclude at or about 29 wt %, or less than 29 wt % and greater than 0 wt% of R32; at or about 26 wt %, or less than 26 wt % and greater than 0wt % of R1123; at or about 47 wt %, or less than 47 wt % and greaterthan 0 wt % of R125; and from at or about 35 wt % to at or about 87 wt %of R1234yf.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 40:60 to about 60:40 may be desired to provideadditional stability. In such an embodiment, useful refrigerantcompositions may be determined based on the useful refrigerantcompositions 1140 and 1240 in FIGS. 31 and 32.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 20:80 to about 60:40 may be desired to have alower amount of R1123 so as to provide additional stability. In such anembodiment, useful refrigerant compositions may be determined based onthe useful refrigerant compositions 1040, 1140, 1240 in FIGS. 30-32.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 40:60 to about 80:20 may be desired to providecompositions with lower GWP. In such an embodiment, useful refrigerantcompositions may be determined based on the useful refrigerantcompositions 1140, 1240, 1340 in FIGS. 31-33.

As shown in FIGS. 30-33, useful compositions 1040 may include preferredcompositions 1042, useful compositions 1140 may include preferredcompositions 1142, useful compositions 1240 may include preferredcompositions 1242, and useful compositions 1340 may include preferredcompositions 1342 in an embodiment. The preferred compositions 1022,1122, 1222, 1322 may be desirable in an embodiment as they are stable(e.g., relative to R1123), have a capacity at or about 85% to at orabout 110% of the capacity of R22, and have GWP that is at or about 1500or less than 1500, and are nonflammable.

The preferred refrigerant compositions 1042 in FIG. 30 include from ator about 1 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×1 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 17 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×21 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 0.2 wt % (20 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×1 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 4 wt %(20 wt % of R1123 in mixture×21 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; from at or about 30 wt % to at or about 47 wt % of R125; and fromat or about 37 wt % to at or about 64 wt % of R1234yf. The preferredrefrigerant compositions 1142 in FIG. 31 include at or about 14 wt % (60wt % of R32 in mixture×24 wt % of mixture in composition), or less than14 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R32; at or about 10 wt % (40 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×24 wt % of mixture in composition), or less than 10 wt% and greater than 0 wt % of R1123; from at or about 29 wt % to at orabout 47 wt % of R125; and from at or about 36 wt % to at or about 66 wt% of R1234yf. The preferred refrigerant compositions 1242 in FIG. 32include at or about 10 wt % (40 wt % of R32 in mixture×24 wt % ofmixture in composition), or less than 10 wt % and greater than 0 wt % ofR32; at or about 14 wt % (60 wt % of R32 in mixture×24 wt % of mixturein composition), or less than 14 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R1123;from at or about 29 wt % to at or about 47 wt % of R125; and from at orabout 37 wt % to at or about 67 wt % of R1234yf. The preferredrefrigerant compositions 1342 in FIG. 33 include at or about 5 wt % (20wt % of R32 in mixture×24 wt % of mixture in composition), or less than5 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R32; at or about 19 wt % (80 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×24 wt % of mixture in composition), or less than 19 wt% and greater than 0 wt % of R1123; from at or about 30 wt % to at orabout 47 wt % of R125; and from at or about 35 wt % to at or about 66 wt% of R1234yf.

As discussed above, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 80:20 to about 20:80 may be desired as thesecompositions are stable with respect to R1123 and have lower GWPs.Accordingly, a range of preferred refrigerant compositions may bedetermined from the preferred refrigerant compositions 1042, 1142, 1242,1342 in FIGS. 30-33. Based on the preferred refrigerant compositions1042, 1142, 1242, 1342, preferred refrigerant compositions may includeat or about 24 wt %, or less than 24 wt % and greater than 0 wt % ofR32; at or about 19 wt %, or less than 19 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R1123; at or about 29 wt % to at or about 47 wt % of R125; and fromat or about 35 wt % to at or about 67 wt % of R1234yf.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 40:60 to about 60:40 may be desired to provideadditional stability. In such an embodiment, preferred refrigerantcompositions may be determined based on the preferred refrigerantcompositions 1142 and 1242 in FIGS. 31 and 32.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 20:80 to about 60:40 may be desired to have alower amount of R1123 so as to provide additional stability. In such anembodiment, preferred refrigerant compositions may be determined basedon the preferred refrigerant compositions 1042, 1142, 1242 in FIGS.30-32.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 40:60 to about 80:20 may be desired to provide alower GWP. In such an embodiment, preferred compositions may bedetermined based on the preferred refrigerant compositions 1142, 1242,1342 in FIGS. 31-33.

Of the useful compositions 1040, 1140, 1240 1340, compositions withinthe shaded areas 1045, 1145, 1245, 1345 in FIGS. 30-33 may be preferredin an embodiment as they have a GWP of at or about 750 or less than 750.In an embodiment, desired compositions may be determined based on theshaded areas 1045, 1145, 1245, and 1345 in FIGS. 30-33.

Compositions 1047A and 1047B in FIG. 30, compositions 1147A and 1147B inFIG. 31, compositions 1247A and 1247B in FIG. 32, and compositions 1347Aand 1347B in FIG. 33 may be desired as they have a capacity that issimilar to R410A. Characteristics of these compositions (and R453C)relative to R22 are provided below in Table 5 for comparison.

TABLE 5 Performance Characteristics of Potential Alternatives to R22Composition (percent BV (est) Glide ΔCDT by weight) CAP COP GWP cm/s (°Fd) (° Fd) R22 (reference) 1.000 1.000 1790 0 Non- 0 0 flammable R454C(DR-3) = 21.5% 0.955 0.979 146 1.7 11 −21 R32/0% R125/78.5% R1234yf 19%R32 + 17% 0.997 0.974 668 1.3 10 −22 R125 + 64% R1234yf (for comparison)1147A = 19% 1.002 0.970 680 <1 12 −23 (R1123/R32 40/60) + 19% R125 + 62%R1234yf 1147B = 24.5% 0.996 0.972 100 1.7 15 −20 (R1123/R32 40/60) + 0%R125 + 75.5% R1234yf 1247A = 19% 1.000 0.970 670 <1 13 −24 (R1123/R3260/40) + 19.5% R125 + 61.5% R1234yf 1247B = 25% 1.003 0.971 69 1.7 16−20 (R1123/R32 60/40) + 0% R125 + 75% R1234yf 1347A = 19% 1.001 0.969676 <1 14 −25 (R1123/R32 80/20) + 20.5% R125 + 60.5% R1234yf 1347B = 25%1.003 0.972 35 1.7 18 −21 (R1123/R32 80/20) + 0% R125 + 75% R1234yfTevap, sat = 50° F. w/20° F. SH Tcond, sat = 115° F. w/15° Fd SC ηcmpr =0.7

Performance estimated from thermodynamic properties at operatingconditions representative of a unitary air-conditioning equipmentrunning at the AHRI 210/240 “A” rating point.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 40:60 to about 60:40 may be preferred to provideadditional stability. In such an embodiment, preferred compositions maybe determined based on the shaded area 1145 in FIG. 31 and the shadedarea 1245 in FIG. 32.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 20:80 to about 60:40 may be preferred as to havea lower amount of R1123 and provide additional stability. In such anembodiment, preferred compositions may be determined based on the shadedareas 1045, 1145, and 1245 in FIGS. 30-32.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 40:60 to about 80:20 may be desired to provide alower GWP. In such an embodiment, preferred compositions may bedetermined based on the shaded areas 1130 in FIGS. 31-33.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the GWP being equal or lessthan 1500 may be different. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWPof at or about 1000 or less than 1000 may be desired. In an embodiment,a composition having a GWP of at or about 675 or less than 675 may bedesired. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 600or less than 600 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition havinga GWP of at or about 500 or less than 500 may be desired. In anembodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 400 or less than400 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP of ator about 200 or less than 200 may be desired. In such embodiments,desired compositions may be selected from the useful compositions,preferred compositions, and other specific compositions shown in FIGS.30-33 and described with respect to FIGS. 30-33 so as to include thosecompositions that have the desired GWP.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the capacity being in therange of at or about 85% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R22 maybe different. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 90% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R22 maybe desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 95% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R22 maybe desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 95% to at or about 105% of the capacity of R22 maybe desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 95% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R22 maybe desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 100% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R410Amay be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 100% to at or about 105% of the capacity of R22 maybe desired. In such embodiments, desired compositions may be selectedfrom the useful compositions, the preferred compositions, and the otherspecific compositions shown in FIGS. 30-33 and described with respect toFIGS. 30-33 so as to include those compositions with the desiredcapacity.

In an embodiment, a desired set of properties of a refrigerantcomposition may include a specific temperature glide. In an embodiment,a refrigerant compositions having a temperature glide of at or about 15°F. or less than 15° F. may be desired. In an embodiment, a refrigerantcompositions having a temperature glide of at or about 12° F. or lessthan 12° F. may be desired. In an embodiment, a refrigerant compositionshaving a temperature glide of at or about 10° F. or less than 10° F. maybe desired. In such embodiments, desired compositions may be selectedfrom the useful compositions, the preferred compositions, and the otherspecific compositions shown in FIGS. 30-33 and described with respect toFIGS. 30-33 so as to include those compositions with the desiredtemperature glide.

In an embodiment, a desired set of properties of a refrigerantcomposition includes being stable (e.g., relative to R1123), a capacityin a range from at or about 85% to at or about 110% of the capacity ofR32, and a GWP of at or about 1500 or less than 1500. Based on thesedesired properties, a range of useful refrigerant compositions 1060 isshown in matrix 1050 of FIG. 34, a range of useful refrigerantcompositions 1160 is shown in matrix 1150 of FIG. 35, a range of usefulrefrigerant compositions 1260 is shown in matrix 1250 of FIG. 36, and arange of useful refrigerant compositions 1360 is shown in matrix 1350 ofFIG. 37.

The useful refrigerant compositions 1060 in FIG. 34 include from at orabout 33 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×41 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 80 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×100 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 8 wt % (20 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×41 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 20 wt% (20 wt % of R1123 in mixture×100 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 41 wt %, or less than 41 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R125; at or about 40 wt %, or less than 40 wt % and greater than 0 wt% of R1234yf.

The useful refrigerant compositions 1160 in FIG. 35 include from at orabout 24 wt % (60 wt % of R32 in mixture×40 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 60 wt % (60 wt % of R32 in mixture×100 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 16 wt % (40 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×40 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 40 wt% (40 wt % of R1123 in mixture×100 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 43 wt %, or less than 43 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R125; at or about 44 wt %, or less than 44 wt % and greater than 0 wt% of R1234yf.

The useful refrigerant compositions 1260 in FIG. 36 include from at orabout 16 wt % (40 wt % of R32 in mixture×40 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 40 wt % (40 wt % of R32 in mixture×100 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 24 wt % (60 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×40 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 60 wt% (60 wt % of R1123 in mixture×100 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 44 wt %, or less than 44 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R125; at or about 44 wt %, or less than 44 wt % and greater than 0 wt% of R1234yf.

The useful refrigerant compositions 1360 in FIG. 37 include from at orabout 8 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×40% of mixture in composition)to at or about 20 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×100% of mixture incomposition) of R32; from at or about 32 wt % (80 wt % of R1123 inmixture×40% of mixture in composition) to at or about 80 wt % (80 wt %of R1123 in mixture×100% of mixture in composition) of R1123; at orabout 46 wt %, or less than 46 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R125; ator about 43 wt %, or less than 43 wt % and greater than 0 wt % ofR1234yf.

As discussed above, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 80:20 to about 20:80 may be desired in anembodiment as these compositions are stable with respect to R1123 andhave lower GWPs. Accordingly, a range of useful refrigerant compositionsmay be determined from the useful refrigerant compositions 1060, 1160,1260, 1360 in FIGS. 34-37. Based on the useful refrigerant compositions1060, 1160, 1260, 1360, useful refrigerant compositions may include fromat or about 8 wt % to at or about 80 wt % of R32; from at or about 8 wt% to at or about 80 wt % of R1123; at or about 46 wt %, or less than 46%and greater than 0 wt % of R125; at or about 44 wt %, or less than 44 wt% and greater than 0 wt % of R1234yf.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 40:60 to about 60:40 may be desired to provideadditional stability. In such an embodiment, useful refrigerantcompositions may be determined based on the useful refrigerantcompositions 1160 and 1260 in FIGS. 35 and 36.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 20:80 to about 60:40 may be desired to have alower amount of R1123 and provide additional stability. In such anembodiment, useful refrigerant compositions may be determined based onthe useful refrigerant compositions 1060, 1160, 1260 in FIGS. 34-36.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 40:60 to about 80:20 may be desired to providelower GWPs. In such an embodiment, useful refrigerant compositions maybe determined based on the useful refrigerant compositions 1160, 1260,1360 in FIGS. 34-36.

As shown in FIGS. 35-37, useful compositions 1160 may include preferredcompositions 1162, useful compositions 1260 may include preferredcompositions 1262, and useful compositions 1360 may include preferredcompositions 1362 in an embodiment. The preferred compositions 1162,1262, 1362 may be desirable in an embodiment as they are stable (e.g.,relative to R1123), have a capacity at or about 85% or greater than 85%and less than 110% of the capacity of R22, have a GWP that is at orabout 1500 or less than 1500, and are nonflammable.

The preferred refrigerant compositions 1162 in FIG. 35 include from ator about 24 wt % (60 wt % of R32 in mixture×40 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 45 wt % (60 wt % of R32 in mixture×70 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 16 wt % (40 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×40 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 30 wt% (40 wt % of R1123 in mixture×70 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; from at or about 25 wt % to at or about 43 wt % of R125; at orabout 27 wt %, or less than 27 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R1234yf.

The preferred refrigerant compositions 1262 in FIG. 36 include from ator about 16 wt % (40 wt % of R32 in mixture×40 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 30 wt % (40 wt % of R32 in mixture×75 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 24 wt % (60 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×40 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 45 wt% (60 wt % of R1123 in mixture×75 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; from at or about 25 wt % to at or about 44 wt % of R125; at orabout 27 wt %, or less than 27 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R1234yf.

The preferred refrigerant compositions 1362 in FIG. 37 include from ator about 8 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×40% of mixture incomposition) to at or about 14 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×70% ofmixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 32 wt % (80 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×40% of mixture in composition) to at or about 56 wt %(80 wt % of R1123 in mixture×70% of mixture in composition) of R1123;from at or about 30 wt % to at or about 46 wt % of R125; at or about 25wt %, or less than 25 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R1234yf.

As discussed above, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 80:20 to about 20:80 may be desired in anembodiment as these compositions are stable with respect to R1123 andhave lower GWPs. Accordingly, a range of preferred refrigerantcompositions may be determined from the preferred refrigerantcompositions 1162, 1262, 1362 in FIGS. 35-37. Based on the preferredrefrigerant compositions 1162, 1262, 1362, preferred refrigerantcompositions may include from at or about 8 wt % to at or about 45 wt %of R32; from at or about 16 wt % to at or about 56 wt % of R1123; fromat or about 25 wt % to at or about 46 wt % of R125; at or about 27 wt %,or less than 27 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R1234yf.

Of the useful compositions 1060, 1160, 1260, and 1360, compositionswithin the shaded areas 1070, 1170, 1270, and 1370 in FIGS. 34-37 may bedesired as they have a GWP of at or about 750 or less than 750. In anembodiment, a range of desired compositions may be determined based onthe shaded areas 1070, 1170, 1270, and 1370 in FIGS. 34-37.

Compositions 1075A and 1075B in FIG. 34, compositions 1175A and 1175 inFIG. 35, compositions 1275A and 1275B in FIG. 36, and compositions 1375Aand 1375B in FIG. 33 may be desired as these compositions have acapacity that is similar to R410As. Properties of these compositionsrelative to R32 are provided below in Table 6 for comparison.

TABLE 6 Performance Characteristics of Potential Alternatives to R32Composition (percent by BV(est) Glide ΔCDT weight) CAP* COP* GWP (cm/s)(° Fd) (° Fd) R32 1.000 1.000 677 6.7 0 0 (reference) 1175A = 78% 1.0020.971 682 <1 2 −22 (R1123/R32 40/60) + 11.5% R125 + 10.5% R1234yf 1175B= 82% 0.999 0.971 334 2.5 2.5 −20 (R1123/R32 40/60) + 0% R125 + 18%R1234yf 1275A = 75% 0.999 0.954 679 <1 2 −27 (R1123/R32 60/40) + 15%R125 + 10% R1234yf 1275B = 81% 1.001 0.951 220 2.5 2.5 −25 (R1123/R3260/40) + 0% R125 + 19% R1234yf 1375A = 76.5% 0.998 0.937 675 <1 1 −31(R1123/R32 80/20) + 18% R125 + 5.5% R1234yf 1375B = 83% 1.001 0.930 1132.6 2 −29 (R1123/R32 80/20) + 0% R125 + 17% R1234yf Tevap, sat = 50° F.w/20° F. SH Tcond, sat = 115° F. w/15° Fd SC ηcmpr = 0.7 *Performanceestimated from thermodynamic properties at operating conditionsrepresentative of unitary air-conditioning equipment running at the AHRI210/240 “A” rating point.

It will be appreciated that in any of the Tables 4 to 6 above, anyspecific amount in percent by weight of the listed ratios of R1123/R32,the listed R125, and the listed R1234yf may be respectively employed asan end point in a range, including as an upper end point or as a lowerend point, relative to another specific amount which is respectivelylower or higher than the specific amount selected. For example in Table6, 78% R1123/R32 (of composition 1175A) may be a lower end pointrelative amount relative to 82% R1123/R32 (of composition 1175B) or anupper end point relative to 75% R1123/R32 (of compositions 1275A) in arange of R1123/R32. It will be appreciate that ranges may be made usingany of the specific amounts of the individual components, respectively.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 40:60 to about 60:40 may be desired to provideadditional stability. In such an embodiment, desired compositions may bedetermined based on the shaded areas 1170 and 1270 in FIGS. 35 and 36.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 20:80 to about 60:40 may be desired so as to havea lower amount of R1123 and provide additional stability. In such anembodiment, preferred compositions may be determined based on the shadedareas 1070, 1170, and 1270 in FIGS. 34-36.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 40:60 to about 80:20 may be desired to providecompositions with lower GWPs. In such an embodiment, preferredcompositions may be determined based on the shaded areas 1170, 1270,1370 in FIGS. 35-37.

In an embodiment, a set of desired properties may include a particulartemperature glide. In an embodiment, a composition having a temperatureglide at or about 5° F. or less than 5° F. may be desired. In such anembodiment, desired compositions may be selected from the usefulcompositions, the preferred compositions, and the other specificcompositions shown in FIGS. 34-37 and described with respect to FIGS.34-37 to include those compositions with the desired temperature glide.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the GWP being at or about 1500or less than 1500 or 750 may be different. In an embodiment, acomposition having a GWP of at or about 1000 or less than 1000 may bedesired. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 675or less than 675 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition havinga GWP of at or about 600 or less than 600 may be desired. In anembodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 500 or less than500 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP of ator about 400 or less than 400 may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a GWP of at or about 200 or less than 200 may bedesired. In such embodiments, desired compositions may be selected fromthe useful compositions, the preferred compositions, and the otherspecific compositions shown in FIGS. 34-37 and described with respect toFIGS. 34-37 to include those compositions with the desired GWP.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the capacity being in therange of at or about 85% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R32 maybe different. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 85% to at or about 105% of the capacity of R32 maybe desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 85% to at or about 100% of the capacity of R32 maybe desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 95% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R32 maybe desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 95% to at or about 105% of the capacity of R32 maybe desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 95% to at or about 100% of the capacity of R32 maybe desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 100% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R32 maybe desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 100% to at or about 105% of the capacity of R32 maybe desired. In such embodiments, desired compositions may be selectedfrom the useful compositions, preferred compositions, and other specificcompositions shown in FIGS. 34-37 and described with respect to FIGS.34-37 so as to include compositions with the desired capacity.

Each of FIGS. 38A-41B illustrates a matrix of a thermodynamic propertyfor compositions of R1123, R32, R125, and R1234yf by weight percentage.In FIGS. 38A-41B, axes for R125 are horizontal and parallel to the sidefor the weight percentage of a mixture of R1123 and R32, axes forR1234yf are parallel to the side for R125, and axes for the mixture ofR1123 and R32 are parallel to the side for R134yf.

In FIGS. 38A and 38B, the bottom side of the matrices 1090, 1092 is forweight percentages of a mixture of 20 wt % R1123 and 80 wt % R32. InFIGS. 39A and 39B, the bottom side of the matrices 1190, 1192 is forweight percentages of a mixture of 40 wt % R1123 and 60 wt % R32. InFIGS. 40A and 40B, the bottom side of the matrices 1290, 1292 is forweight percentages of a mixture of 60 wt % R1123 and 40 wt % R32. InFIGS. 41A and 41B, the bottom side of the matrices 1390, 1392 is forweight percentages of a mixture of 80 wt % R1123 and 20 wt % R32. Eachmatrix 1090, 1092, 1190, 1192, 1290, 1292, 1390, 1392 shows values ateach 10 wt % of R125, R1234yf, and the mixture of R32 and R1123.Compositions in each matrix 1090, 1092, 1190, 1192, 1290, 1292, 1390,1392 are calculated in a similar manner as discussed regarding matrix200 in FIG. 7A.

Each of FIGS. 38A, 39A, 40A, 41A illustrates a matrix 1090, 1190, 1290,1390 of coefficients of performance relative to R410A (e.g., acoefficient of performance of a composition minus the coefficient ofperformance for R410A divided by the coefficient of performance forR410A) for compositions of R125, R1234yf, R1123, and R32. As shown inFIGS. 38A, 39A, 40A, and 41A, efficiency increases as the concentrationof R1234yf increases (e.g., the efficiency is largest in the lower leftcorners), and the increase in the concentration of R1123 decreases theefficiency of the composition.

Each of FIGS. 38B, 39B, 40B, 41B illustrates a matrix 1092, 1192, 1292,1392 of compressor discharge temperatures in Fahrenheit relative toR410A (e.g., a compressor discharge temperatures of a composition minusthe compressor discharge temperature for R410A) for compositions ofR125, R1234yf, R1123, and R32. As shown in FIGS. 38B, 39B, 40B, and 41B,the compressor discharge temperature increases as the concentration ofR32 and R1123 increases, and increasing the concentration of R32 causesa larger increase relative to increasing the concentration of R1123.

Performance of a refrigerant composition may be based on one or more ofa coefficient of performance and compressor discharge temperature. In anembodiment, the desired set of properties includes one or more of acoefficient of performance (relative to R410A) and compressor dischargetemperature (relative to R410A). In an embodiment, a composition thathas a coefficient of performance of greater than 97% relative to R410Amay be preferred. In an embodiment, a composition that results in achange in the compressor discharge temperature (relative to R410A) thatis at or about 32° F. or less than 32° F. may be desired. In anembodiment, a composition that results in a change in the compressordischarge temperature (relative to R410A) that is at or about 20° F. orless than 20° F. may be preferred. For values relative to R32, thematrices in FIGS. 38A-41B may be modified based on the values for R410and R32 in Tables 2 and 3 to approximate values relative to R32. In suchembodiments, one or more of FIGS. 38A-41B may be utilized to selectcompositions having the desired coefficient or performance and/orcompressor discharge temperature. For example, desired compositions maybe selected from the compositions shown in and/or described with respectto FIGS. 34-37 so as to have a desired coefficient of performance and/orcompressor discharge temperature by utilizing one or more of FIGS.38A-41B.

In an embodiment, a method of making a refrigerant composition and/or amethod of retrofitting a refrigerant composition utilizes one or more ofthe matrices of FIGS. 34-41B so that the resulting refrigerantcomposition or retrofitted refrigerant composition has the desired setof properties.

Refrigerant Compositions Including R32, R1123, CF₃I, and R1234yf

FIG. 42 illustrates a matrix 1400 that was developed to show plots ofGWP, flammability, temperature glide, capacity relative to R410A, andcapacity relative to R32 as a function of the concentration of R1234yf,a mixture of 80 wt % of R32 and 20 wt % of R1123, and CF₃I. Each side1401, 1402, 1403 of the triangle corresponds to weight percentages ofCF₃I, the mixture of 80 wt % R32 and 20 wt % R1123, and R1234yf,respectively. Each vertex 404, 405, 406 corresponds to a composition of100 wt % R1123; the mixture of 80 wt % R32 and 20% R1123; and CF₃I,respectively.

FIG. 43 illustrates a matrix 1500 that was developed to show plots ofGWP, flammability, temperature glide, capacity relative to R410A, andcapacity relative to R32 as function of the concentration of R1234yf, amixture of 80 wt % and 20 wt % of R1123, and CF₃I. Each side 1501, 1502,1503 of the triangle corresponds to weight percentages of CF₃I, themixture of 20 wt % R32 and 80 wt % R1123, and R1234yf, respectively.Each vertex 1504, 1505, 1506 corresponds to a composition of 100 wt %R1123; the mixture of 20 wt % R32 and 80% R1123; and CF₃I, respectively.

Properties of the compositions for each matrix 1400, 1500 were estimatedusing a thermodynamic model. The boundary between flammable andnon-flammable compositions is shown by the dotted line extending in analmost horizontal direction. Flammable compositions are below theboundary and non-flammable compositions are above boundary. The boundaryis based on the flammability characteristics of R1123, R32, CF₃I, R410A,and R1234yf, and the flame suppressant properties of CF₃I. GWP is basedon the GWP of individual components and the method described in ASHRAEStandard 34 for calculating the GWP of refrigerant blends. Theflammability boundary is estimated based on characteristics of theindividual components and various binary mixtures of the components. Theflammability line was estimated based on the ratio of R32 to R1123 being50:50 in a composition, while the amounts of R1234yf and CF₃I in thecomposition were varied. Accordingly, the amount of each refrigerant ina composition along the flammability boundary may, for example, vary byup to about 5 percent in an embodiment. It should be appreciated thecompositions and ranges shown and/or described may be updated based onfurther testing to confirm the location of the flammability boundary.

Each of FIGS. 44 and 46 illustrate a matrix 1410, 1450 based on matrix1400 and has the same sides and vertices as the matrix 1400. Each matrix1410, 1450 is the same as the matrix 1400, except that the matrices1410, 1450 illustrates ranges of refrigerant compositions that may bedesired in particular embodiments.

Each of FIGS. 45 and 47 illustrate a matrix 1510, 1550 based on matrix1500 of FIG. 9 and has the same sides and vertices as matrix 1500. Eachmatrix 1510, 1550 is the same as matrix 1500, except that matrices 1510,1550 illustrate ranges of refrigerant blends that may be desired inparticular embodiments.

One or more of the matrices 1410, 1450, 1510, 1550 can be used todetermine composition(s) of R32, R1123, CF₃I, and R1234yf having one ormore desired properties (e.g., GWP, flammability, temperature glide,capacity relative to R410A or R32). For example, matrices 1410, 1450 inFIGS. 45 and 46 may be used to determine compositions having propertiescomparable to R410, and matrices 1450, 1550 in FIGS. 47 and 48 may beused to determine compositions having properties comparable to R32.Alternatively, a matrix similar to matrices 1400, 1500 may be calculatedin the same manner as discussed above for ratios of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) that are between 20:80 and 80:20. The upper limit of 80 wt %was selected for R1123 as R1123 may decompose when a compositioncontains greater than 80 wt % R1123. Accordingly, it should beappreciated that the upper limit for R1123 (e.g., at or about 80 wt %)may be updated based on further testing. The upper limit of at or about80% of R32 was selected as greater amounts of R32 result in compositionswith higher GWPs.

In an embodiment, a desired set of properties of a refrigerantcomposition includes being stable (e.g., with respect to R1123) and acapacity that is in the range from at or about 85% to at or about 110%of the capacity of R410A. Based on these desired properties, a range ofuseful refrigerant compositions 1420 is shown in FIG. 44 and a range ofuseful refrigerant compositions 1520 is shown in FIG. 45.

The useful refrigerant compositions 1420 in FIG. 44 include from at orabout 30 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×38% of mixture in composition)to at or about 80 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×100 wt % of mixture incomposition) of R32; from at or about 8 wt % (20 wt % of R1123 inmixture×38 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 20 wt % (20 wt% of R1123 in mixture×100 wt % of mixture in composition) of R1123; ator about 49 wt %, or less than 49 wt % and greater than 0% of R1234yf;and at or about 62 wt %, or less than 62 wt % and greater than 0 wt % ofCF₃I.

The useful refrigerant compositions 1520 in FIG. 45 include from at orabout 10 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×52 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 20 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×100 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 42 wt % (80 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×52% of mixture in composition) to at or about 80 wt %of R1123 (80 wt % of R1123 in mixture×100 wt % of mixture incomposition) of R125; at or about 42 wt %, or less than 42 wt % andgreater than 0 wt % of R1234yf; and at or about 48 wt %, or less thanabout 48 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of CF₃I.

As discussed above, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 80:20 to about 20:80 may be desired in anembodiment as these compositions are stable with respect to R1123 andhave lower GWPs. Accordingly, a range of useful refrigerant compositionsmay be determined from the preferred refrigerant compositions 1420, 1520in FIGS. 44 and 45. Based on the useful refrigerant compositions 1420,1520, useful refrigerant compositions may include from at or about 10 wt% to at or about 30 wt % of R32; from at or about 8 wt % to at or about41 wt % of R1123; at or about 49 wt %, or less than about 49 wt % andgreater than 0 wt % of R1234yf; and at or about 62 wt %, or less thanabout 62 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of CF₃I.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 40:60 to about 60:40 may be desired to provideadditional stability.

As shown in FIGS. 44 and 45, useful compositions 1420 may includepreferred compositions 1430 and useful refrigerant compositions 1520 mayinclude preferred refrigerant compositions 1530. The preferredcompositions 1430, 1530 may be desirable in an embodiment as they arestable (e.g., relative to R1123), have a capacity at or about 85% orgreater than 85% and less than 105% of the capacity of R410A, have a GWPthat is less than 400, have a temperature glide less than 20° F., andare nonflammable.

The preferred refrigerant compositions 1430 in FIG. 44 include at orabout 27 wt %, or less than 27 wt % and greater than 0% of R1234yf; fromat or about 30 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×38 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 54 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×67 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 8 wt % (20 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×38 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 13 wt% (20 wt % of R1123 in mixture×67 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; and from at or about 30 wt % to at or about 62 wt % of CF₃I.

The preferred refrigerant compositions 1530 in FIG. 45 include at orabout 15 wt %, or less than 15 wt % of R1234yf and greater than 0% ofR1234yf; from at or about 10 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×52 wt % ofmixture in composition) to at or about 13 wt % (20 wt % of R32 inmixture×67 wt % of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 42wt % (80 wt % of R1123 in mixture×52 wt % of mixture in composition) toat or about 54 wt % (80 wt % of R1123 in mixture×67% of mixture incomposition) of R1123; and from at or about 31 wt % to at or about 48 wt% of CF₃I.

As discussed above, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 80:20 to about 20:80 may be desired in anembodiment as these compositions are stable with respect to R1123 andhave lower GWPs. Accordingly, a range of preferred refrigerantcompositions may be determined from the preferred refrigerantcompositions 1430, 1530 in FIGS. 44 and 45. Based on the preferredrefrigerant compositions 1430, 1530, preferred refrigerant compositionsmay include from at or about 10 wt % to at or about 54 wt % of R32; fromat or about 8 wt % to at or about 54 wt % of R1123; at or about 27 wt %,or less than 27 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R1234yf; and from at orabout 30 wt % to at or about 62 wt % of CF₃I

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 40:60 to about 60:40 may be desired to provideadditional stability.

In an embodiment, the set of desired properties may include a specificGWP. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP from at or about 500or less than 500 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition havinga GWP from at or about 400 or less than 400 may be desired. In anembodiment, a composition having a GWP from at or about 300 or less than300 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP from ator about 150 or less than 150 may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a GWP from at or about 150 to at or about 300 may bedesired. In such embodiments, desired compositions may be selected fromthe compositions shown in FIGS. 44 and 45 (e.g., useful compositions1420, 1520 and/or preferred compositions 1430, 1530) and described withrespect to FIGS. 44 and 45 to include those compositions with thedesired GWP.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the capacity being in therange of at or about 85% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R410Amay be different. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity inthe range of at or about 85% to at or about 105% of the capacity ofR410A may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacityin the range of at or about 85% to at or about 105% of the capacity ofR410A may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacityin the range of at or about 90% to at or about 110% of R410A may bedesired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in the rangeof at or about 90% to at or about 105% of R410A may be desired. In anembodiment, a composition having a capacity in the range of at or about90% to at or about 100% of R410A may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a capacity in the range of at or about 95% to at orabout 110% of R410A may be desired. In an embodiment, a compositionhaving a capacity in the range of at or about 95% to at or about 105% ofR410A may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacityin the range of at or about 95% to at or about 100% of R410A may bedesired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in the rangeof at or about 100% to at or about 110% of R410A may be desired. In anembodiment, a composition having a capacity in the range of at or about100% to at or about 105% of R410A may be desired. In such embodiments,desired compositions may be selected from the compositions shown inFIGS. 44 and 45 (e.g., useful compositions 1420, 1520 and/or preferredcompositions 1430, 1530) and described with respect to FIGS. 44 and 45to include those compositions with the desired GWP.

In an embodiment, the set of desired properties may include a specifictemperature glide. In an embodiment, a composition having a temperatureglide at or about 15° F. or less than 15° F. may be desired. In anembodiment, a composition having a temperature glide at or about 12° F.or less than 12° F. may be desired. In an embodiment, a compositionhaving a temperature glide at or about 10° F. or less than 10° F. may bedesired. In an embodiment, a composition having a temperature glide ator about 5° F. or less than 5° F. may be desired. In such embodiments,desired compositions may be selected from the compositions shown inFIGS. 44 and 45 (e.g., useful compositions 1420, 1520 and/or preferredcompositions 1430, 1530) and described with respect to FIGS. 44 and 45to include those compositions with the desired GWP.

In an embodiment, a desired set of properties of a refrigerantcomposition includes being stable and having a capacity in a range fromat or about 85% to 110% of the capacity of R32. Based on these desiredproperties, a range of useful refrigerant compositions 1460 is shown inFIG. 46 and a range of useful refrigerant compositions 1560 is shown inFIG. 47.

The useful refrigerant compositions 1460 in FIG. 46 include from at orabout 38 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×47 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 80 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×100 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 9.4 wt % (20 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×47 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 20 wt% (20 wt % of R1123 in mixture×100 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 38 wt %, or less than 28 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R1234yf; and at or about 52 wt %, or less than about 52 wt % andgreater than 0 wt % of CF₃I.

The useful refrigerant compositions 1560 in FIG. 47 include from at orabout 12 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×61% of mixture in composition)to at or about 20 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×61% of mixture incomposition) of R32; from at or about 49 wt % (80 wt % of R1123 inmixture×61 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 80 wt % (80 wt% of R1123 in mixture×100 wt % of mixture in composition) of R1123; ator about 32 wt %, or less than 32 wt % and greater than 0 wt % ofR1234yf; and at or about 39 wt %, or less than about 39 wt % and greaterthan 0 wt % of CF₃I.

As discussed above, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 80:20 to about 20:80 may be desired in anembodiment as these compositions are stable with respect to R1123 andhave lower GWPs. Accordingly, a range of useful refrigerant compositionsmay be determined from the useful refrigerant compositions 1460, 1560 inFIGS. 46 and 47. Based on the ranges of each useful refrigerantcompositions 1460, 1560, useful refrigerant compositions may includefrom at or about 12 wt % to at or about 38 wt % of R32; from at or about9 wt % to at or about 49 wt % of R1123; at or about 38 wt %, or lessthan 38% R1234yf and greater than 0% of R1234yf; and at or about 52 wt%, or less than about 52 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of CF₃I.

In an embodiment, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 40:60 to about 60:40 may be desired to provideadditional stability.

As shown in FIGS. 46 and 47, useful compositions 1460 may includepreferred compositions 1470 and useful refrigerant compositions 1560 mayinclude preferred refrigerant compositions 1570. The preferredcompositions 1470, 1570 may be desirable in an embodiment as they arestable (e.g., relative to R1123), have a capacity at or about 85% orgreater than 85% and less than 105% of the capacity of R410A, have a GWPthat is less than 400, have a temperature glide at or about 12° F. orless than 12° F., and are nonflammable.

The preferred refrigerant compositions 1470 of FIG. 46 include from ator about 38 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×47 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 54 wt % (80 wt % of R32 in mixture×67 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 9 wt % (20 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×47 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 13 wt% (20 wt % of R1123 in mixture×67 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 17 wt %, or less than 17 wt % and greater than 0 wt %of R1234yf; and from at or about 31 wt % to at or about 53 wt % of CF₃I.

The preferred refrigerant compositions 1570 in FIG. 47 include from ator about 12 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×61 wt % of mixture incomposition) to at or about 13 wt % (20 wt % of R32 in mixture×67 wt %of mixture in composition) of R32; from at or about 49 wt % (80 wt % ofR1123 in mixture×61 wt % of mixture in composition) to at or about 54 wt% (80 wt % of R1123 in mixture×67 wt % of mixture in composition) ofR1123; at or about 7 wt %, or less than 7 wt % of R1234yf and greaterthan 0 wt % of R1234yf; and from at or about 32 wt % to at or about 39wt % of CF₃I.

As discussed above, a composition having a ratio of R32 to R1123(R32:R1123) from about 80:20 to about 20:80 may be desired in anembodiment as these compositions are stable with respect to R1123 andhave lower GWPs. Accordingly, a range of preferred refrigerantcompositions may be determined from the preferred refrigerantcompositions 1470, 1570 in FIGS. 46 and 47. Based on the ranges of eachpreferred refrigerant compositions 470, 570, refrigerant compositionsinclude from at or about 12 wt % to at or about 54 wt % of R32; from ator about 9 wt % to at or about 54 wt % of R1123; at or about 17 wt %, orless than 17 wt % and greater than 0 wt % of R1234yf; and from at orabout 31 wt % to at or about 53 wt % of CF₃I.

In an embodiment, the set of desired properties may include a specificGWP. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 500 orless than 500 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having aGWP of at or about 400 or less than 400 may be desired. In anembodiment, a composition having a GWP of at or about 300 or less than300 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a GWP of ator about 150 or less than 150 may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a GWP of at or about 150 to at or about 300 may bedesired. In such embodiments, desired compositions may be selected fromthe compositions shown in FIGS. 46 and 47 (e.g., useful compositions1460, 1560 and/or preferred compositions 1470, 1570) and described withrespect to FIGS. 44 and 45 to include those compositions with thedesired GWP.

In an embodiment, the desired property of the capacity being in therange of at or about 85% to at or about 110% of the capacity of R32 maybe different. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 85% to at or about 105% of the capacity of R32 maybe desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 85% to at or about 100% of the capacity of R32 maybe desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 90% to at or about 110% of R32 may be desired. Inan embodiment, a composition having a capacity in the range of at orabout 90% to at or about 105% of R32 may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a capacity in the range of at or about 90% to at orabout 100% of R32 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition havinga capacity in the range of at or about 95% to at or about 110% of R32may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition having a capacity in therange of at or about 95% to at or about 105% of R32 may be desired. Inan embodiment, a composition having a capacity in the range of at orabout 95% to at or about 100% of R32 may be desired. In an embodiment, acomposition having a capacity in the range of at or about 100% to at orabout 110% of R32 may be desired. In an embodiment, a composition havinga capacity in the range of at or about 100% to at or about 105% of R32may be desired. In such embodiments, desired compositions may beselected from the compositions shown in FIGS. 46 and 47 (e.g., usefulcompositions 1460, 1560 and/or preferred compositions 1470, 1570) anddescribed with respect to FIGS. 44 and 45 to include those compositionswith the desired capacity.

In an embodiment, the set of desired properties may include a specifictemperature glide. In an embodiment, a composition having a temperatureglide at or about 12° F. or less than 12° F. may be desired. In anembodiment, a composition having a temperature glide at or about 10° F.or less than 10° F. may be desired. In an embodiment, a compositionhaving a temperature glide at or about 5° F. or less than 5° F. may bedesired. In such embodiments, desired compositions may be selected fromthe compositions shown in FIGS. 46 and 47 (e.g., useful compositions1460, 1560 and/or preferred compositions 1470, 1570) and described withrespect to FIGS. 44 and 45 to include those compositions with thedesired temperature glide.

In an embodiment, a method of making a refrigerant composition and/or amethod of retrofitting a refrigerant composition utilizes one or more ofthe matrices of FIGS. 44-47 so that the resulting refrigerantcomposition or retrofitted refrigerant composition has the desired setof properties.

It should be noted that a working fluid may include one or moreadditional non-refrigerant components in addition to a refrigerantcomposition. Additional components may be, for example impurities,lubricants, refrigeration system additives, tracers, ultraviolet (“UV”)dyes, and solubilizing agents. In general, these additional componentsare present in small amounts relative to the refrigerant composition.For example, up to 3% of each additional component may be present in aworking fluid. A working fluid, depending upon its components, may haveat or about 5 wt % or less than 5 wt % of some additives, such aslubricants, in a particular location or piece of equipment in a heattransfer circuit. In an embodiment, one or more additional componentswould be added in addition to the refrigerant compositions described.

In an embodiment, a working fluid may include one or more impurities. Animpurity may be, for example, a previous refrigerant or refrigerantblend used in an HVACR system. An impurity may be, for example,particulates (e.g., metal particles, metal salts, elastomer particles)from equipment of the HVACR system and other contaminants that mayadversely affect a working fluid.

In an embodiment, a working fluid may include one or more lubricantsthat are compatible with the refrigerant composition. For example, alubricant may be a lubricant that is designed for use with and iscompatible with refrigerant compositions described herein (e.g., R1123,R32, CF₃I, 1234yf, R125). Further, the lubricant may be based on theHVACR system that will be using the working fluid. For example, alubricant may be selected based on being suitable for use with the HVACRsystem and its equipment (e.g., compressor 2 in FIG. 1), the environmentin which the refrigerant may be exposed to.

Lubricants include those conventionally used in compressionrefrigeration apparatus utilizing chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants. Forexample, such lubricants and their properties are discussed in the 1990ASHRAE Handbook, Refrigeration Systems and Applications, chapter 8,titled “Lubricants in Refrigeration Systems”, pages 8.1 through 8.21.Lubricants may include those that have been designed for use withhydrofluorocarbon refrigerants and are miscible with refrigerantcompositions described herein under compression refrigeration,air-conditioning, or heat pump apparatus' operating conditions. Suchlubricants and their properties are discussed in “Synthetic Lubricantsand High-Performance Fluids”, R. L. Shubkin, editor, Marcel Dekker,1993. Such lubricants include, but are not limited to, polyol esters(POEs) such as Castrol® 100 (Castrol, United Kingdom), polyalkyleneglycols (PAGs) such as RL-488A from Dow (Dow Chemical, Midland, Mich.),and polyvinyl ethers (PVEs). These lubricants are readily available fromvarious commercial sources.

Lubricants may include those lubricants known as “mineral oils” and/orthose lubricants known as “synthetic oils” in the field of compressionrefrigeration lubrication. For example, mineral oils may includeparaffins (i.e. straight-chain and branched-carbon-chain, saturatedhydrocarbons), naphthenes (i.e. cyclic paraffins) and aromatics (i.e.unsaturated, cyclic hydrocarbons containing one or more ringscharacterized by alternating double bonds). For example, synthetic oilsmay include alkylaryls (i.e. linear and branched alkyl alkylbenzenes),synthetic paraffins and naphthenes, and poly(alphaolefins).Representative conventional lubricants may include the commerciallyavailable BVM 100 N (paraffinic mineral oil sold by BVA Oils), Suniso®3GS and Suniso® 5GS (naphthenic mineral oil sold by Crompton Co.),Sontex® 372LT (naphthenic mineral oil sold by Pennzoil), Calumet® RO-30(naphthenic mineral oil sold by Calumet Lubricants), Zerol® 75, Zerol®150 and Zerol® 500 (linear alkylbenzenes sold by Shrieve Chemicals), andHAB 22 (branched alkylbenzene sold by Nippon Oil).

In an embodiment, refrigeration system additives may include lubricationenhancing additives and anti-wear additives. Lubrication enhancingadditives may include, for example, alkyl or aryl esters of phosphoricacid and of thiophosphates. Additionally, the metal dialkyldithiophosphates (e.g. zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate or ZDDP, Lubrizol1375) and other members of this family of chemicals may be used incompositions of the present invention. Other anti-wear additives includenatural product oils and asymmetrical polyhydroxyl lubrication additivessuch as Synergol TMS (International Lubricants). Similarly, stabilizerssuch as antioxidants, free radical scavengers, and water scavengers maybe employed. Compounds in this category can include, but are not limitedto, butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) and epoxides.

Lubricants may be selected by considering a given compressor'srequirements and the environment to which the lubricant will be exposed.In some embodiments, lubricants may have a kinematic viscosity of atleast about 5 cs (centistokes) at 40° C.

In an embodiment, a working fluid may include one or more tracers. Thetracers may be used in detecting if any dilution, contamination, orother alteration of the working fluid (which includes the refrigerantcomposition) has occurred. The tracers may be selected from, forexample, the group including hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), deuteratedhydrocarbons, deuterated hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons,fluoroethers, brominated compounds, iodated compounds, alcohols,aldehydes, ketones, nitrous oxide (N2O) and combinations thereof. Thetracer compounds are added to the working fluid in previously determinedquantities to allow detection of any dilution, contamination or otheralteration of the composition. Single tracer compounds may be used incombination with a refrigeration composition in the working fluid ormultiple tracer compounds may be combined in any proportion to serve asa tracer blend. The tracer blend may contain multiple tracer compoundsfrom the same class of compounds or multiple tracer compounds fromdifferent classes of compounds. For example, a tracer blend may containtwo or more deuterated hydrofluorocarbons, or one deuteratedhydrofluorocarbon in combination with one or more perfluorocarbons.

In an embodiment, a working fluid may include one or more UV dyes. A UVdye may allow a person (e.g., operator, field technician) to observeleaks in or near the HVACR system. Due to the low solubility of some UVdyes with some refrigerant compositions, a solubilizing agent may beincluded with the UV dye. An “ultra-violet” (UV) dye is a UV fluorescentcomposition that absorbs light in the ultra-violet or “near”ultra-violet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The fluorescenceproduced by the UV fluorescent dye under illumination by a UV light thatemits radiation with wavelength from 10 nanometers to 750 nanometers maybe detected. Therefore, if a composition containing such a UVfluorescent dye is leaking from a given point in a refrigeration,air-conditioning, or heat pump apparatus, the fluorescence can bedetected at the leak point. Such UV fluorescent dyes include but are notlimited to naphthalimides, perylenes, coumarins, anthracenes,phenanthracenes, xanthenes, thioxanthenes, naphthoxanthenes,fluoresceins, and derivatives or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, solubilizing agents may include at least one compoundselected from the group including hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon ethers,dimethylether, polyoxyalkylene glycol ethers, amides, nitriles, ketones,chlorocarbons, esters, lactones, aryl ethers, fluoroethers and1,1,1-trifluoroalkanes. The polyoxyalkylene glycol ethers, amides,nitriles, ketones, chlorocarbons, esters, lactones, aryl ethers,fluoroethers and 1,1,1-trifluoroalkanes solubilizing agents are definedherein as being compatibilizers for use with conventional refrigerationlubricants.

In an embodiment, hydrocarbon solubilizing agents may includehydrocarbons including straight chained, branched chain or cyclicalkanes or alkenes containing five or fewer carbon atoms and onlyhydrogen with no other functional groups. Representative hydrocarbonsolubilizing agents include propane, propylene, cyclopropane, n-butane,isobutane, 2-methylbutane and n-pentane. It is appreciated that if thecomposition contains a hydrocarbon, then the solubilizing agent may notbe the same hydrocarbon. Hydrocarbon ether solubilizing agents mayinclude ethers containing only carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, such asdimethyl ether (DME).

Solubilizing agents may be present as a single compound, or may bepresent as a mixture of more than one solubilizing agent. Mixtures ofsolubilizing agents may contain two solubilizing agents from the sameclass of compounds for example two lactones, or two solubilizing agentsfrom two different classes, such as a lactone and a polyoxyalkyleneglycol ether.

Solubilizing agents such as ketones may have an objectionable odor,which can be masked by addition of an odor masking agent or fragrance.Typical examples of odor masking agents or fragrances may includeEvergreen, Fresh Lemon, Cherry, Cinnamon, Peppermint, Floral or OrangePeel all commercially available, as well as d-limonene and pinene. Suchodor masking agents may be used at concentrations of from about 0.001%to as much as about 15% by weight based on the combined weight of odormasking agent and solubilizing agent.

Often replacement refrigerants are most useful if capable of being usedin the original refrigeration equipment designed for a differentrefrigerant. Refrigerant compositions disclosed herein may be useful asreplacements in the original equipment.

In some embodiments, the properties (e.g. capacity, glide, efficiency,compressor discharge temperature) of the refrigerant compositions hereinmay be made to resemble or match (e.g., have similar properties) anexisting refrigerant (e.g. R410A, R32, R22, and/or R404A), so that therefrigerant composition can be used to replace (e.g. drop in) theexisting refrigerant. In some embodiments, the refrigerant compositionmay be used to replace the existing refrigerant in a HVAC system. Thereplaced refrigerant may be reclaimed and/or repurposed to otherapplications. In some embodiments, the refrigerant composition may beused in a HVAC system with a screw compressor, a scroll compressor, areciprocating compressor, or other suitable compressors.

In an embodiment, a refrigerant composition in a HVACR system may beretrofitted. The refrigerant composition is an existing refrigerantcomposition of the HVACR is retrofitted to have a desired set ofproperties. An existing refrigerant composition is retrofitted so as toresult in a retrofitted refrigerant composition that includes R1123,R32, and one or more additional refrigerants. In an embodiment, the oneor more refrigerants include CF₃I, R125, and R1234yf. In an embodiment,the existing refrigerant composition includes one or more of R1123, R32,CF₃I, R125, and R1234yf.

In an embodiment, an existing refrigerant composition is retrofitted soas to result in a retrofitted refrigerant composition that includesR1123, R32, and CF₃I. In an embodiment, a refrigerant composition isretrofitted so as to result in a retrofitted refrigerant compositionthat includes R1123, R32, CF₃I, and R1234yf. In an embodiment, arefrigerant composition is retrofitted so as to result in a retrofittedrefrigerant composition that includes R1123, R32, and R125. In anembodiment, a refrigerant composition is retrofitted so as to result ina retrofitted refrigerant composition that includes R1123, R32, andR125, and R1234yf. In an embodiment, a refrigerant composition isretrofitted so as to result in a retrofitted refrigerant compositionthat includes R1123, R32, R125, and CF₃I.

In an embodiment, an HVACR utilizes an existing refrigerant compositionincluding at least one of R32, R1123, and R1234yf, and a method ofretrofitting the refrigerant composition includes adding an amount of atleast one refrigerant to an existing refrigerant composition to producea retrofitted refrigerant composition. The retrofitted refrigerantcomposition includes at least R1123, R32, and one of R125 and CF₃I andhas a GWP of at or about 1500 or less than 1500. The amounts of the oneor more refrigerants are added results in a retrofitted refrigerantcomposition with the desired set of properties. In an embodiment, anamount of one or more refrigerants may include one or more of an amountof R32, an amount of R1123, an amount of R125, an amount of R1234yf, andan amount of CF₃I.

In an embodiment where the HVACR system is designed to utilize arefrigerant composition similar to R410A, retrofitted refrigerantcomposition(s) with the desired properties can be determined using, forexample, one or more of the matrices in FIGS. 2-4, 7A-7D, 8-11, 13A,13B, 14-19, 23A-25B, 26-33, 38A-41C, and 42-45 and their accompanyingdescription. In an embodiment where the HVACR system is designed toutilize a refrigerant composition similar to R32, retrofittedrefrigerant composition(s) that would have the desired set of propertiescan be determined using, for example, one or more of the matrices inFIGS. 2, 5-7D, 8, 11-13B, 14-16, 20-25B, 26-29, 34-41C, 42, 43, 46, and47 and their accompanying description. In an embodiment where the HVACRsystem is designed to utilize a refrigerant composition similar to R22,retrofitted refrigerant composition(s) that would have the desired setof properties can be determined using, for example, one or more of thematrices in FIGS. 26-33.

Generally, a method of making a refrigerant composition with a desiredset of properties may include determining the desired set of properties,and selecting at least one refrigerant for each of the properties in thedesired set of properties. The refrigerant(s) selected to exhibit thedesired property has a property value that is better than the propertyvalue of the desired property exhibited by the other refrigerants in thecomposition. The method may also include mixing the selectedrefrigerants in a suitable mass fraction so that the resultingrefrigerant composition has the desired set of properties. In someembodiments, a matrix can be made to represent a correlation of propertyvalue changes in response to mass fraction changes in the selectedrefrigerants. Suitable refrigerant composition ranges to achieve thedesired set of properties may be selected from the matrix by definingboundary property values in the matrix. The method disclosed herein canprovide flexibility in making a refrigerant to satisfy, for example,different design requirements.

In some embodiments, the method of making a refrigerant composition fora HVACR system includes reducing the flammability of a refrigerantcomposition and balancing performance characteristics, flammability, andGWP of the refrigerant composition (e.g. minimizing flammability,minimizing GWP, and maximizing performance characteristics). In someembodiments, the method of reducing flammability of a refrigerantcomposition may include adding a non-flammable refrigerant (e.g. R125)to a relatively flammable refrigerant composition so that the resultingrefrigerant composition can match a design requirement (e.g.flammability of the refrigerant) of a HVAC system.

In an embodiment, a method for making a refrigerant composition for aHVACR system includes mixing at least an amount of R1123, an amount ofR32, and an amount of one or more refrigerants to obtain a refrigerantcomposition that has a GWP of at or about 1500 or less than 1500. In anembodiment, the one or more refrigerants includes at least one of R125,and CF₃I. The amounts of the R1123, R32, the one or more refrigerantsmay be selected so that the refrigerant composition has one or moredesired properties. A desired property may be, for example,flammability, GWP, temperature glide, a coefficient of performance,compressor discharge ratio, mass flow rate, or fluid density.

In an embodiment where the HVACR system is designed to utilize arefrigerant composition similar to R410A, refrigerant composition(s)with the desired properties can be determined using, for example, one ormore of the matrices in FIGS. 2-4, 7A-7D, 8-11, 13A, 13B, 14-19,23A-25B, 26-33, 38A-41C, and 42-45 and their accompanying description.In an embodiment where the HVACR system is designed to utilize arefrigerant composition similar to R32, refrigerant composition(s) thatwould have the desired set of properties can be determined using, forexample, one or more of the matrices in FIGS. 2, 5-7D, 8, 11-13B, 14-16,20-25B, 26-29, 34-41C, 42, 43, 46, and 47 and their accompanyingdescription. In an embodiment where the HVACR system is designed toutilize a refrigerant composition similar to R22, retrofittedrefrigerant composition(s) that would have the desired set of propertiescan be determined using, for example, one or more of the matrices inFIGS. 26-33.

In some embodiments, the performance characteristic(s) of the resultingrefrigerant composition may be simulated and/or estimated by anExcel-based thermodynamic cycle calculation tool, such as for exampleNIST's REFPROP program. In some embodiments, a burn velocity (BV,cm/sec) may be simulated and/or estimated by an Excel-basedthermodynamic cycle calculation tool, such as for example NIST's REFPROPprogram.

In some embodiments, the properties (e.g. GWP and/or capacity) of therefrigerant compositions herein may be made to resemble or match anexisting refrigerant (e.g. R410A, R22, and/or R404A), so that therefrigerant composition can be used to replace (e.g. drop in) theexisting refrigerant. In some embodiments, the refrigerant compositionmay be used to replace the existing refrigerant in a HVAC system. Thereplaced refrigerant may be reclaimed and/or repurposed to otherapplications. In some embodiments, the refrigerant composition may beused in a HVAC system with a screw compressor, a scroll compressor, areciprocating compressor or other suitable compressors.

Generally, a refrigerant composition as disclosed herein may includesuitable amounts of different refrigerants, each of which is selected tohelp achieve at least one property of the refrigerant composition. Insome embodiments, the refrigerant composition may include a suitableamount of a first refrigerant that is selected to address (e.g. reduce)flammability of the refrigerant composition, a suitable amount of asecond refrigerant that is selected to address (e.g. reduce) GWP of therefrigerant composition, and a suitable amount of a third refrigerantthat is selected to address (e.g. increase) capacity of the refrigerantcomposition. It is to be noted that in some embodiments, one refrigerantmay be able to address more than one property of the refrigerantcomposition.

It is noted that the capacity may be provided, for example, in ameasurement performed in a lab and/or in a computer based simulation.The capacity may be provided based on operation conditions provided inStandard for Performance Rating of Unitary Air-Conditioning & Air-sourceHeat Pump Equipment (e.g. Air-Conditioning, Heating and RefrigerationInstitute Standard (AHRI Std) 210/240).

It is to be appreciated that other refrigerants may be used to achievethe desired properties as listed herein. It is also to be appreciatedthat the method described herein may be used to achieve other desiredproperties in the refrigerant compositions.

Certain of the refrigerant compositions herein are non-azeotropiccompositions. A non-azeotropic composition may have certain advantagesover azeotropic or near azeotropic mixtures. A non-azeotropiccomposition is a mixture of two or more substances that behaves as amixture rather than a single substance. One way to characterize anon-azeotropic composition is that the vapor produced by partialevaporation or distillation of the liquid has a substantially differentcomposition as the liquid from which it was evaporated or distilled,that is, the admixture distills/refluxes with substantial compositionchange. Another way to characterize a non-azeotropic composition is thatthe bubble point vapor pressure and the dew point vapor pressure of thecomposition at a particular temperature are substantially different.Herein, a composition is non-azeotropic if, after 50 weight percent ofthe composition is removed, such as by evaporation or boiling off, thedifference in vapor pressure between the original composition and thecomposition remaining after 50 weight percent of the originalcomposition has been removed is greater than about 10 percent.

The refrigerant compositions may be prepared by any convenient method tocombine the desired amounts of the individual components. A preferredmethod is to weigh the desired component amounts and thereafter combinethe components in an appropriate vessel. Agitation may be used, ifdesired.

A refrigerant container may be any container in which is stored arefrigerant blend composition that has been used in a refrigerationapparatus, air-conditioning apparatus or heat pump apparatus. Therefrigerant container may be the refrigeration apparatus,air-conditioning apparatus or heat pump apparatus in which therefrigerant blend was used. Additionally, the refrigerant container maybe a storage container for collecting reclaimed refrigerant blendcomponents, including but not limited to pressurized gas cylinders.

Residual refrigerant means any amount of refrigerant blend orrefrigerant blend component that may be moved out of the refrigerantcontainer by any method known for transferring refrigerant blends orrefrigerant blend components.

Impurities may be removed sufficiently to allow reuse of the refrigerantblend or refrigerant blend component without adversely affecting theperformance or equipment within which the refrigerant blend orrefrigerant blend component will be used.

The refrigerant compositions herein may have low ozone depletionpotential and low global warming potential (GWP). Additionally, therefrigerant compositions may have global warming potentials that areless than many hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants currently in use. Oneaspect of the embodiments described herein is to reduce the net GWP ofrefrigerant mixtures by adding fluoroolefins to the refrigerantcompositions.

The embodiments disclosed herein provide HVACR system, such as arefrigeration, air-conditioning, or heat pump apparatus, that contains arefrigerant composition as described herein. In some embodiments, therefrigeration or air-conditioning apparatus may be a mobile apparatus.As used herein, mobile refrigeration apparatus or mobileair-conditioning apparatus refers to any refrigeration orair-conditioning apparatus incorporated into a transportation unit forthe road, rail, sea, or air. In addition, apparatuses meant to providerefrigeration or air-conditioning for a system independent of any movingcarrier, known as “intermodal” systems, may also implement thecompositions and methods described herein. Such intermodal systemsinclude “containers” (combined sea/land transport) as well as “swapbodies” (combined road and rail transport). The compositions and methodsdescribed herein can be useful for road transport refrigerating orair-conditioning apparatus, such as automobile air-conditioningapparatus or refrigerated road transport equipment.

The refrigerant compositions and method as disclosed herein may also beuseful in stationary air-conditioning and heat pumps, e.g. chillers,high temperature heat pumps, residential and light commercial andcommercial air-conditioning systems. In stationary refrigerationapplications, the refrigerant compositions may be useful in equipmentsuch as domestic refrigerators, ice machines, walk-in and reach-incoolers and freezers, and supermarket systems.

The compositions and methods described herein further relate uses as aheat transfer fluid composition. The method comprises transporting therefrigerant composition from a heat source to a heat sink. Heat transferfluids are utilized to transfer, move or remove heat from one space,location, object or body to a different space, location, object or bodyby radiation, conduction, or convection. A heat transfer fluid mayfunction as a secondary coolant by providing thermal transfer forcooling (or heating) from a remote refrigeration (or heating) system. Insome systems, the heat transfer fluid may remain in a constant statethroughout the transfer process (i.e., not evaporate or condense).Alternatively, evaporative cooling processes may utilize heat transferfluids as well.

A heat source may be defined as any space, location, object or body fromwhich it is desirable to transfer, move or remove heat. Examples of heatsources may be spaces (open or enclosed) requiring refrigeration orcooling, such as refrigerator or freezer cases in a supermarket,building spaces requiring air-conditioning, or the passenger compartmentof an automobile requiring air-conditioning. A heat sink may be definedas any space, location, object or body capable of absorbing heat. Avapor compression refrigeration system is one example of such a heatsink.

The compositions and methods can be applied to various equipment andcontrols of HVAC systems, including for example chillers including themotors and various compressor types thereof, electronics cooling,bearings, air handlers, purges, evaporators and condensers and the fluidmanagement therein. The compositions and methods can be applied to suchequipment in the retrofitting and servicing thereof, as well as in theflammability detection and prevention including sensors and methods ofventilation to reduce the probability of flammable mixtures.

Aspects:

Any of aspects 1-20 can be combined with any of aspects 21-62 and any ofaspects 21-40 can be combined with aspects 41-62.

Aspect 1. A refrigerant composition for an HVACR system comprising:

about 80 wt % or less of R1123 refrigerant;

R32 refrigerant; and

at least one of CF₃I and R125, wherein

the refrigerant composition has a GWP that is about 1500 or less than1500.

Aspect 2. The refrigerant composition of aspect 1, wherein therefrigerant composition comprises the R125 refrigerant.Aspect 3. The refrigerant composition of either aspects 1 or 2, whereinthe refrigerant composition comprises the CF₃I refrigerant.Aspect 4. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 1-3, furthercomprising: R1234yf refrigerantAspect 5. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 1-4, whereinthe refrigerant composition is nonflammable.Aspect 6. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 1-5, whereinthe GWP of the refrigerant composition is about 750 or less than 750.Aspect 7. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 1-6, whereinthe GWP of the refrigerant composition is about 675 or less than 675.Aspect 8. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 1-7, whereinthe GWP of the refrigerant composition is about 300 or less than 300.Aspect 9. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 1-8, whereina ratio (R32:R1123) of the weight percentage of the R32 refrigerant inthe refrigerant composition to the weight percentage of the R1123refrigerant in the refrigerant composition is at or about 20:80 to at orabout 80:20.Aspect 10. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 1-9,wherein a ratio (R32:R1123) of the weight percentage of the R32refrigerant in the refrigerant composition to the weight percentage ofthe R1123 refrigerant in the refrigerant composition is at or about60:40 to at or about 40:60.Aspect 11. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 1-10,wherein a temperature glide of the refrigerant composition is about 15°F. or less than 15° F.Aspect 12. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 1-11,wherein the temperature glide of the refrigerant composition is about12° F. or less than 12° F.Aspect 13. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 1-12,wherein the temperature glide of the refrigerant composition is about10° F. or less than 10° F.Aspect 14. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 1-13,wherein the temperature glide of the refrigerant composition is about 5°F. or less than 5° F.Aspect 15. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 1-14,wherein a capacity of the refrigerant composition at or about 85% orgreater than 85% of the capacity of R410A refrigerant.Aspect 16. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 1-15,wherein a capacity of the refrigerant composition at or about 110% orless than 110% of the capacity of R410A refrigerant.Aspect 17. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 1-14,wherein a capacity of the refrigerant composition is at or about 85% orgreater than 85% of the capacity of R32 refrigerant alone.Aspect 18. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 1-14 and17, wherein a capacity of the refrigerant composition is at or about110% or less than 110% of the capacity of R32 refrigerant alone.Aspect 19. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 1-14,wherein a capacity of the refrigerant composition is at or about 85% orgreater than 85% of the capacity of R22 refrigerant.Aspect 20. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 1-14 and19, wherein a capacity of the refrigerant composition is at or about110% or less than 110% of the capacity of R22 refrigerant.Aspect 21. A method of making a refrigerant composition for a HVACRsystem, the method including:

mixing at least an amount of R1123, an amount of R32, and an amount ofone or more refrigerants to obtain a refrigerant composition, the onemore refrigerants including at least one of R125 refrigerant and CF₃I,wherein

the amount of R1123 is about or less than 80 wt % of the refrigerantcomposition, and

the refrigerant composition has a GWP that is about 1500 or less than1500.

Aspect 22. The method of aspect 21, wherein the one more refrigerantsincludes the R125 refrigerant.Aspect 23. The method of either one of aspects 21 or 22, wherein the oneor more refrigerants includes the CF₃I.Aspect 24. The method of any one of aspects 21-23, wherein the one ormore refrigerants includes R1234yf refrigerant.Aspect 25. The method of any one of aspects 21-24, wherein therefrigerant composition is nonflammable.Aspect 26. The method of any one of aspects 21-25, wherein the GWP ofthe refrigerant composition is about 750 or less than 750.Aspect 27. The method of any one of aspects 21-26, wherein the GWP ofthe refrigerant composition is about 675 or less than 675.Aspect 28. The method of any one of aspects 21-27, wherein the GWP ofthe refrigerant composition is about 300 or less than 300.Aspect 29. The method of any one of aspects 21-28, wherein a ratio(R32:R1123) of the weight percentage of the R32 refrigerant in therefrigerant composition to the weight percentage of the R1123refrigerant in the refrigerant composition is at or about 20:80 to at orabout 80:20.Aspect 30. The method of any one of aspects 21-29, wherein a ratio(R32:R1123) of the weight percentage of the R32 refrigerant in therefrigerant composition to the weight percentage of the R1123refrigerant in the refrigerant composition is at or about 60:40 to at orabout 40:60.Aspect 31. The method of any one of aspects 21-30, wherein a temperatureglide of the refrigerant composition is about 15° F. or less than 15° F.Aspect 32. The method of any one of aspects 21-31, wherein thetemperature glide of the refrigerant composition is about 12° F. or lessthan 12° F.Aspect 33. The method of any one of aspects 21-32, wherein thetemperature glide of the refrigerant composition is about 10° F. or lessthan 10° F.Aspect 34. The method of any one of aspects 21-33, wherein thetemperature glide of the refrigerant composition is about 5° F. or lessthan 5° F.Aspect 35. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 21-34,wherein a capacity of the refrigerant composition at or about 85% orgreater than 85% of the capacity of R410A refrigerant.Aspect 36. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 21-35,wherein a capacity of the refrigerant composition at or about 110% orless than 110% of the capacity of R410A refrigerant.Aspect 37. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 21-34,wherein a capacity of the refrigerant composition is at or about 85% orgreater than 85% of the capacity of R32 refrigerant alone.Aspect 38. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 21-34 and37, wherein a capacity of the refrigerant composition is at or about110% or less than 110% of the capacity of R32 refrigerant alone.Aspect 39. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 21-34,wherein a capacity of the refrigerant composition is at or about 85% orgreater than 85% of the capacity of R22 refrigerant.Aspect 40. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 21-34 and39, wherein a capacity of the refrigerant composition is at or about110% or less than 110% of the capacity of R22 refrigerant.Aspect 41. A method of retrofitting a refrigerant composition in anHVACR system, comprising:

adding an amount of at least one refrigerant to an existing refrigerantcomposition to produce a retrofitted refrigerant composition, theretrofitted refrigerant composition including R1123 refrigerant, R32refrigerant, and at least one of R125 refrigerant and CF₃I, wherein

the existing refrigerant composition includes at least one of R32refrigerant, R1123 refrigerant, R125 refrigerant, and R1234yf, and

the retrofitted refrigerant composition has a GWP that is about 1500 orless than 1500.

Aspect 42. The method of aspect 41, wherein the at least one refrigerantincludes at least one of R32 refrigerant, R1123 refrigerant, R125refrigerant, R1234yf refrigerant, and CF₃I.Aspect 43. The method of either one of aspects 41 or 42, wherein theretrofitted refrigerant composition includes the R1123 refrigerant, theR32 refrigerant, and the R125 refrigerant.Aspect 44. The method of either one of aspects 41 or 42, wherein theretrofitted refrigerant composition includes the R1123 refrigerant, theR32 refrigerant, and the CF₃I.Aspect 45. The method of any one of aspects 41-44, wherein theretrofitted refrigerant includes the R1123 refrigerant, the R32refrigerant, the R125 refrigerant, and the CF₃I.Aspect 46. The method of any one of aspects 41-45, wherein theretrofitted refrigerant includes the R1123 refrigerant, the R32refrigerant, the R125 refrigerant, and R1234yf refrigerant.Aspect 47. The method of any one of aspects 41-46, wherein theretrofitted refrigerant composition is nonflammable.Aspect 48. The method of any one of aspects 41-47, wherein the GWP ofthe retrofitted refrigerant composition is about 750 or less than 750.Aspect 49. The method of any one of aspects 41-48, wherein the GWP ofthe retrofitted refrigerant composition is about 675 or less than 675.Aspect 50. The method of any one of aspects 41-49, wherein the GWP ofthe retrofitted refrigerant composition is about 300 or less than 300.Aspect 51. The method of any one of aspects 41-50, wherein a ratio(R32:R1123) of the weight percentage of the R32 refrigerant in theretrofitted refrigerant composition to the weight percentage of theR1123 refrigerant in the retrofitted refrigerant composition is at orabout 20:80 to at or about 80:20.Aspect 52. The method of any one of aspects 41-50, wherein a ratio(R32:R1123) of the weight percentage of the R32 refrigerant in theretrofitted refrigerant composition to the weight percentage of theR1123 refrigerant in the retrofitted refrigerant composition is at orabout 60:40 to at or about 40:60.Aspect 53. The method of any one of aspects 41-52, wherein a temperatureglide of the retrofitted refrigerant composition is about or less than15° F.Aspect 54. The method of any one of aspects 41-53, wherein thetemperature glide of the retrofitted refrigerant composition is about12° F. or less than 12° F.Aspect 55. The method of any one of aspects 41-54, wherein thetemperature glide of the retrofitted refrigerant composition is about10° F. or less than 10° F.Aspect 56. The method of any one of aspects 41-55, wherein thetemperature glide of the retrofitted refrigerant composition is about 5°F. or less than 5° F.Aspect 57. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 41-56,wherein a capacity of the refrigerant composition at or about 85% orgreater than 85% of the capacity of R410A refrigerant.Aspect 58. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 41-57,wherein a capacity of the refrigerant composition at or about 110% orless than 110% of the capacity of R410A refrigerant.Aspect 59. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 41-56,wherein a capacity of the refrigerant composition is at or about 85% orgreater than 85% of the capacity of R32 refrigerant alone.Aspect 60. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 41-56 and59, wherein a capacity of the refrigerant composition is at or about110% or less than 110% of the capacity of R32 refrigerant alone.Aspect 61. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 41-56,wherein a capacity of the refrigerant composition is at or about 85% orgreater than 85% of the capacity of R22 refrigerant.Aspect 62. The refrigerant composition of any one of aspects 41-56 and61, wherein a capacity of the refrigerant composition is at or about110% or less than 110% of the capacity of R22 refrigerant.

The examples disclosed in this application are to be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not limitative. The scope of the inventionis indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription; and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerant composition for an HVACR systemcomprising: about 80 wt % or less of R1123 refrigerant; R32 refrigerant;and R125 refrigerant, wherein the refrigerant composition has a GWP thatis about 1500 or less than
 1500. 2. The refrigerant composition of claim1, wherein a capacity of the refrigerant composition within a range fromabout 85% to about 110% of the capacity of R32 refrigerant alone.
 3. Therefrigerant composition of claim 2, wherein the GWP of the refrigerantcomposition is about 750 or less than
 750. 4. The refrigerantcomposition of claim 2, wherein the refrigerant composition isnonflammable.
 5. The refrigerant composition of claim 1, furthercomprising: CF₃I.
 6. The refrigerant composition of claim 5, wherein acapacity of the refrigerant composition is greater than 85% of thecapacity of R32 refrigerant alone.
 7. The refrigerant composition ofclaim 6, wherein the GWP of the refrigerant composition is about 750 orless than
 750. 8. The refrigerant composition of claim 6, wherein therefrigerant composition is nonflammable.
 9. The refrigerant compositionof claim 2, further comprising: R1234yf refrigerant
 10. The refrigerantcomposition of claim 9, wherein a capacity of the refrigerantcomposition is about or greater than 85% of the capacity of R32 alone.11. The refrigerant composition of claim 10, wherein the GWP of therefrigerant composition is about 750 or less than
 750. 12. Therefrigerant composition of claim 10, wherein the refrigerant compositionis nonflammable.
 13. The refrigerant composition of claim 9, wherein acapacity of the refrigerant composition is within a range from about 85%to about 110% of the capacity of R22.
 14. The refrigerant composition ofclaim 13, wherein the GWP of the refrigerant composition is about 750 orless than
 750. 15. A method of making a refrigerant composition for aHVACR system, the method including: mixing at least an amount of R1123,an amount of R32, and an amount of one or more refrigerants to obtain arefrigerant composition, the at least one more refrigerants includingR125 refrigerant, wherein the amount of R1123 is about or less than 80wt % of the refrigerant composition, and the refrigerant composition hasa GWP that is about 1500 or less than
 1500. 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the one or more refrigerants includes CF₃I.
 17. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the one or more refrigerants includes R1234yfrefrigerant.
 18. A method of retrofitting a refrigerant composition inan HVACR system, comprising: adding an amount of at least onerefrigerant to an existing refrigerant composition to produce aretrofitted refrigerant composition, the retrofitted refrigerantcomposition including R1123 refrigerant, R32 refrigerant, and R125refrigerant, wherein the existing refrigerant composition includes atleast one of R32 refrigerant, R1123 refrigerant, R125 refrigerant, andR1234yf, and the retrofitted refrigerant composition has a GWP that isabout 1500 or less than
 1500. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein theretrofitted refrigerant includes the R1123 refrigerant, the R32refrigerant, the R125 refrigerant, and CF₃I.
 20. The method of claim 18,wherein the retrofitted refrigerant includes the R1123 refrigerant, theR32 refrigerant, the R125 refrigerant, and R1234yf refrigerant.